Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday criticized the ruling Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) party, alleging that its activities would shatter the trust of the people who had paved the way for the formation of the government.
The statement came amid allegations that lawmakers were “horse trading” against TVK to claim a majority in the state assembly and eventually form the government.
“Though the numbers required for the government to survive have been achieved due to the stand of our allied partners, what has the current ruling party done? Those who came to power talking about clean politics are now doing dirty politics,” said Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president.
In a post on X, Stalin said TVK tried to fish in troubled waters with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and bought off its legislators.
“Is this pure force or a force that kidnaps members of other parties? Even people who voted for TVK have begun to speak with regret,” he asked.
The ‘quid pro quo’ allegations were first leveled against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay by AMMK chief Dinakaran on May 9, who said his party’s sole appointee S Kamaraj had disappeared and could not be reached. “I suspect that the TVK, in a desperate attempt to form the government as it lacks a majority, may have indulged in horse-trading,” Dinakaran claimed. Kamaraj, who later appeared suddenly, told reporters that he had stayed at a resort in Puducherry with the newly elected AIADMK members. He claimed that the “letter of support” he sent to TVK was forged.
On Wednesday, DMK MLA SS Sivasankar echoed the allegation of ‘horse trading’. “He (Vijay) is involved in horse trading and had the support of AIADMK MLAs. Open horse trading took place. Mannargudi Kamaraj MLA also switched to the TVK camp. Nearly 25 AIADMK MLAs supported Vijay. This is very disappointing,” Sivasankar said.
With two factions emerging within the AIADMK over their decision to support TVK, around 25 MLAs led by former AIADMK minister C Ve Shanmugham and SP Velumani extended their support to TVK on Wednesday, provoking AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami who termed it a “betrayal” of the party. Palaniswami removed the 25 leaders, including Velumani, Shanmugam and Vijayabaskar, from their party posts.
“Some (MLAs) were lured by the promise of ministerial posts and also took others down the wrong path. This is illegal and against justice,” Palaniswami said.
Meanwhile, referring to his party colleagues led by opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin who had organized a strike, Stalin said: “In accordance with my stand that the DMK will not be an obstacle to the formation or continuation of the TVK government, the DMK members boycotted the confidence vote and staged a walkout.”
The DMK chief also expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the alliance party including Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) and Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK), for organizing a strike.
Stalin said that he respects the stand taken by the Left parties, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) as they voted for the government on the principle of not imposing President’s rule in Tamil Nadu.
TVK won the vote of confidence in the state Assembly on Wednesday, bagging 144 votes with support from allies including the Congress, VCK, two Left parties and a faction of the AIADMK.
With PTI input
