The ruling Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) and the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Wednesday accused each other of horse-trading after three people were arrested on a complaint filed by TVK legislator N Ilaiyaraaja, alleging financial inducement to vote against the state assembly speaker.
State Minister R Nirmal Kumar alleged that the three men were in touch with DMK leader V Senthil Balaji and were roaming around $35 crores per legislator. The DMK responded, accusing TVK of horse trafficking and urged the governor to launch an investigation.
On June 29, Ilaiyaraaja filed a complaint with the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner, alleging that he had been contacted by one Thirunavukkarasu, claiming that he ran a consultancy called Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS) and was communicating on behalf of a major political party.
The MLA alleged that Thirunavukkarasu asked him to vote in favor of a proposed vote of no confidence against Speaker JC D Prabhakar, and offered him up to $35 Crores as incentive.
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A case was registered at D1 Triplicane police station and police arrested Thirunavukkarasu and his two alleged accomplices Naresh from Tiruchirappalli and Thiagarajan from Chennai on Tuesday.
Naresh met V. Ashok Kumar, brother of former DMK minister and South Coimbatore legislator V. Senthil Balaji, in Chennai, a few days ago, police said in a statement on Wednesday. TVK alleged that IPDS is run by Senthil Balaji. “Investigation revealed that V Ashok Kumar, younger brother of former DMK minister and current Coimbatore MLA V Senthil Balaji, met accused Naresh in Chennai. Further investigation revealed that Thirunavukkarasu contacted the MLA and carried out the alleged acts on the instructions of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar.”
After the arrests, state power minister P Nirmal Kumar alleged: “We have been saying continuously for the last 40 days that the DMK, Stalin and his team were trying to steal our MLAs… One of our MLAs was threatened by DMK members. This was supported by Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok… They allegedly offered about… $35 Crores…”
The DMK hit back, alleging that MDMK chief Vaiko had admitted that CM C Joseph Vijay had tried to buy off two MLAs and urged Governor RV Arlekar to take action. Two MDMK MLAs – TM Rajendran from Kadayanallur and S Senthil Selvan from Sirkazhi – won the DMK symbol.
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption should be directed to register an FIR and ensure justice, DMK organizing secretary RS Bharathi said, three days after the MDMK walked out of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) and decided to support the ruling TVK.
Nirmal Kumar denied the allegation, saying the DMK was trying to save itself.
