Tamil Nadu’s political scene heated up as police filed a case against Ashok Kumar, the brother of former DMK minister V. Senthil Balaji, for allegedly trying to bribe a ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) legislator with Rs 35 crore. The incident comes amidst post-election uncertainty, with no party securing a clear majority.
Following the elections, the TVK, led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, became the largest party with 108 seats and formed the government with the support of Congress and other allies. Despite this, DMK President M.K. Stalin has raised concerns about the government’s stability, hinting at the possibility of fresh elections.
In a related development, Chennai Police arrested five individuals for allegedly plotting to sway a TVK legislator to defect. The case was initiated based on a complaint by TVK MLA N. Elaiyaraja, who claimed he was pressured to leave the party with offers and threats.
Investigators revealed that the accused engaged in negotiations with the legislator, offering a hefty sum in exchange for support. One of the arrested individuals, Naresh, disclosed meeting Ashok Kumar in Chennai before contacting Elaiyaraja, allegedly on instructions from Ashok Kumar and Senthil Balaji.
Authorities are delving into the details of the alleged meetings, financial offers, and communications between the accused and the suspected orchestrators. The investigation involves scrutinizing electronic evidence, call records, and other collected materials to establish the case against Ashok Kumar under various legal provisions, including sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The unfolding horse-trading scandal has sparked political tensions in Tamil Nadu, with the TVK accusing the opposition of destabilizing the government. The investigation’s outcomes are anticipated to have significant political implications in the state.
