The DMK has urged Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar to intervene and order a DVAC investigation into an alleged attempt by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and MDMK General Secretary Vaiko to persuade two sitting legislators elected on the DMK’s symbol to resign from the state Assembly. DMK Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi submitted a detailed representation alleging a conspiracy to have Kadayanallur MLA T.M. Rajendran and Sirkazhi MLA S. Senthil Selvan resign and contest by-elections.
The legislators, elected on the DMK symbol under a previous alliance’s seat-sharing arrangement, were allegedly targeted for resignation by the Chief Minister and Vaiko. The DMK argued that such actions amounted to political inducement to manipulate the Assembly’s composition unconstitutionally. The complaint stemmed from reported remarks by Vaiko during an MDMK General Council meeting implicating Chief Minister Vijay in the alleged scheme.
According to Bharathi, Vaiko disclosed that the Chief Minister had requested him to convince the MLAs to resign, promising personal campaign support if they contested by-elections. The DMK emphasized that these actions, if true, constituted an attempt to influence elected representatives through political inducement, akin to “horse-trading.” The party called for a criminal investigation into the matter, urging the Governor not to overlook practices undermining democratic values.
Alleging that Vaiko’s public statements directly linked Chief Minister Vijay to the purported conspiracy, Bharathi urged the Governor to direct the DVAC to register an FIR promptly and conduct a thorough investigation. Bharathi emphasized the vigilance agency’s obligation to act on the complaint in accordance with Supreme Court principles on the registration and investigation of cognisable offences.
