A political confrontation intensified in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday after the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK accused each other of attempting to poach MLAs, triggering a fresh war of words over alleged horse-trading and efforts to influence the Assembly’s numerical strength.
The controversy began after Uthangarai MLA N. Ilayaraja alleged that he was approached by an individual identified as Thirunavukkarasu, who allegedly offered him Rs 35 crore to vote against the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker in a proposed motion of confidence.
Acting on the complaint, police arrested three people, including Thirunavukkarasu, on charges of attempting to induce TVK legislators. In its statement, police said one of the arrested accused, Naresh from Tiruchirappalli, had allegedly met V. Ashok Kumar, brother of former minister V. Senthil Balaji, in Chennai.
According to the preliminary investigation, Thirunavukkarasu allegedly contacted the TVK MLA on behalf of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar. The investigation is underway.
Reacting to the development, Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister R. Nirmal Kumar alleged that the opposition was attempting to de-stabilise the government. He claimed that several TVK MLAs had allegedly been approached with offers of up to Rs 50 crore.
Even as the ruling party levelled allegations against the opposition, the DMK mounted a counterattack by submitting a complaint to Governor R. V. Arlekar.
DMK organising secretary R. S. Bharathi accused Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and MDMK general secretary Vaiko of attempting to persuade two legislators associated with the DMK to resign from the Assembly.
The two MLAs—T. M. Rajendran from Kadayanallur and Senthilselvan from Sirkazhi—belong to the MDMK but were elected on the DMK’s Rising Sun symbol during the Assembly elections.
According to the complaint, the two legislators were allegedly assured political support in any subsequent by-election if they resigned their Assembly seats. Bharathi also alleged that monetary assistance could be provided, claiming the move was aimed at reducing the DMK’s strength in the Assembly.
The DMK has forwarded its complaint to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), seeking a detailed investigation into the allegations.
With both the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK accusing each other of attempting to influence elected representatives, the political battle has escalated into a full-fledged confrontation. While police have made arrests in connection with the complaint filed by the TVK MLA, the allegations made by the DMK remain part of its complaint seeking an investigation.