A major political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after police uncovered an alleged conspiracy to destabilise the state government, leading to the arrest of three individuals in connection with an alleged attempt to bribe legislators. The development comes just two months after the new government assumed office.
The case surfaced after Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA N. Elaiyaraja alleged that he was offered ₹35 crore to support a proposed no-confidence motion against Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar. According to investigators, the alleged conspiracy was aimed at securing the support of ruling party legislators to weaken the government.
The controversy began on June 29 when Elaiyaraja filed a complaint with the Chennai Police. In his complaint, the legislator alleged that he received a phone call from a man identified as Thirunavukkarasu, who claimed to head an opinion polling organisation called Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS).
According to the MLA, the caller said he was acting on behalf of members of a major political party and informed him that a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker would soon be introduced. Despite belonging to the ruling TVK, Elaiyaraja alleged that he was urged to vote in favour of the motion in exchange for a payment of up to ₹35 crore.
Elaiyaraja said he immediately rejected the offer and asked the caller not to contact him again. However, he further alleged that he was subsequently threatened and warned that he and his family would face consequences if he disclosed the conversation.
Tamil Nadu Police on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of three accused in the case as investigations progressed.
In a press release, police said the probe had revealed alleged links to former DMK minister V. Senthil Balaji and his brother V. Ashok Kumar. Investigators alleged that Ashok Kumar met one of the accused, Naresh, in Chennai, while Thirunavukkarasu allegedly contacted Elaiyaraja at the behest of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar.
Police also claimed that intelligence inputs indicated an alleged plan to poach at least 15 TVK MLAs in an effort to bring down the state government. Officials said the investigation remains ongoing and could extend to questioning or taking further action against those whose names have emerged during the probe, depending on the evidence collected.
The allegations have intensified the political confrontation in the state. Tamil Nadu minister P. Nirmal Kumar alleged that the DMK had been attempting to lure ruling party legislators for the past 40 days as part of a broader political strategy to destabilise the government.
The DMK has not issued a public response to the latest allegations.
The ruling TVK has accused its political rivals of attempting to engineer defections through financial inducements, while the opposition has yet to respond to the police findings.
If substantiated, the allegations could rank among Tamil Nadu's most significant alleged political poaching cases, raising serious questions about attempts to influence elected representatives and undermine the stability of a democratically elected government.
Police have said the investigation is continuing, and any further action will be based on the evidence gathered during the course of the probe.
Leave Your Comment