Chennai : Ever since Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay formed the government by bringing in smaller parties that were earlier part of the DMK-led alliance, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has faced allegations of horse-trading and poaching. Now, the party claims the tables have turned, alleging an attempt to topple its government by luring away its MLAs.
Tamil Nadu is the latest state to be hit by a defection row, after similar political drama in West Bengal and Maharashtra. On Wednesday, TVK MLA N Elaiyaraja sparked a major controversy by alleging that around 11 legislators, including a minister, were offered up to Rs 50 crore each to defect to the DMK. He claimed he was personally offered Rs 35 crore to support a no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
A little-known political consultancy firm, Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS), is at the centre of the poaching allegations. TVK has claimed that its MLAs received calls from a person claiming to represent the firm. Elaiyaraja also alleged that he and his family were threatened after he rejected the offer.
Following a complaint, police arrested three people in the case. The FIR also names former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother V Ashok Kumar, alleging they were linked to the conspiracy. Senthil Balaji was arrested by the ED last year in a cash-for-jobs case and is currently out on bail. The DMK, however, has denied the allegations.
Police said one of the accused, Naresh, was in direct contact with Senthil Balaji’s brother. The developments have triggered a fresh political showdown between the DMK and the TVK, which stunned many in May by emerging as the single largest party in the state.
Read Also : Government Issues Notices to Telegram and Signal Over Username Feature After WhatsApp Scrutiny