The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister M K Stalin’s ally, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), is under pressure after a member of the opposition party Tamil Vikatan Katchi (TVK) claimed he was offered ₹35 crore to cast his vote in a particular way during a confidence motion in the state Assembly.
The allegation, made public on Tuesday, was that a senior DMK figure approached TVK MLA K. S. Venkatesan with the cash offer to secure his support for the ruling coalition’s agenda. Venkatesan filed a complaint with the Tamil Nadu police and said he recorded the conversation, though the recording has not been released.
The DMK has denied the accusations, stating that they are “baseless” and part of a “political vendetta” aimed at destabilising the government. Party spokesperson K. Anbazhagan said the claim “lacks any evidence” and that the ruling coalition enjoys a comfortable majority in the 234‑member Assembly.
Chief Minister M K Stalin, speaking to reporters, said the government would “co‑operate fully with any investigation” and that “the integrity of the legislature will not be compromised.” He added that the DMK would not tolerate any attempts at horse‑trading.
Tamil Vikatan Katchi, a small regional party that won a single seat in the 2021 elections, has called for a thorough inquiry. Party leader K. Rajendran urged the state’s anti‑corruption body, the Lokayukta, to intervene, arguing that the alleged ₹35 crore offer, if true, would constitute a serious breach of the Representation of the People Act.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) had been registered, but declined to comment on the specifics of the investigation pending formal procedures.
Political analysts note that while the DMK‑Allied Front holds a clear majority, the controversy could fuel anti‑incumbency sentiment ahead of the 2026 state elections. “Even unproven allegations can erode public trust, especially when large sums are mentioned,” said Dr. S. Mohan, a professor of political science at Madras University. “The real test will be whether the investigative agencies can produce concrete evidence.”
The Assembly is scheduled to convene next week for a routine budget discussion, which may become a flashpoint if the issue escalates.
Analysis: The claim of a ₹35 crore bribe, if substantiated, would represent one of the largest alleged vote‑buying attempts in recent Indian state politics. However, no documentary evidence has been made public, and the DMK’s majority reduces the immediate risk of a loss of confidence. The political fallout will likely depend on the speed and transparency of the police inquiry and any subsequent judicial review.
Sources
– Hindustan Times, “CM Vijay’s Tamil Nadu government in danger? What we know about the TVK‑DMK ‘horse‑trading’ row,” https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cm-vijays-tamil-nadu-government-in-danger-what-we-know-about-the-tvk-dmk-horse-trading-row-101782976372435.html
Story synopsis gathered from: Hindustan Times – India News — source
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
