In a significant political development ahead of the upcoming state elections, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Aadhav Arjuna on Wednesday issued a public apology to veteran actor Rajinikanth following a controversy over his earlier remarks suggesting that the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had pressured the actor to stay away from politics. The apology came amid mounting criticism and a rapidly escalating political row in the state.

Aadhav, who serves as the general secretary (campaigns) of the party, expressed regret over his comments, stating that his intention had been misunderstood and that he did not wish to hurt Rajinikanth. He clarified that his earlier statement was not meant to imply direct intimidation by the DMK but rather referred to what he described as indirect pressure through negative campaigns and narratives. He added that if his remarks had caused any distress, he sincerely apologised.

The controversy gained traction after Rajinikanth firmly rejected Aadhav’s claims, calling them “factually incorrect.” In a measured response, Rajinikanth remarked that time would ultimately reveal the truth, while also thanking supporters who had defended him during the episode. His response added weight to the issue, given his stature as one of India’s most influential film personalities with a significant public following.

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The row soon turned into a political flashpoint, drawing reactions from multiple parties. Edappadi K Palaniswami, leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, criticised the remarks, calling them inappropriate and against political decorum, while emphasising Rajinikanth’s respected position beyond politics. Similarly, K Annamalai of the Bharatiya Janata Party dismissed Aadhav’s claims as baseless and defended Rajinikanth’s independence and credibility.

Despite the backlash, Aadhav attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, stating that his party holds only admiration for Rajinikanth and no ill will. At the same time, he reiterated allegations that the DMK had historically engaged in negative campaigns against prominent leaders such as M G Ramachandran, Vijayakanth, and Vaiko. The DMK has not issued an official response to these renewed claims.

The episode comes at a crucial juncture, as Vijay prepares for his electoral debut with TVK positioning itself as an independent force in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Aadhav reaffirmed that the party would contest all 234 विधानसभा seats, rejecting alliance speculation. Tamil Nadu is set to go to the polls on April 23, with vote counting scheduled for May 4, making the controversy particularly significant in the run-up to a closely watched election.

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