Stormy scenes in Assembly: Vijay targets DMK over corruption allegations, Udhayanidhi reacts strongly
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay launched a strong attack on the DMK in the Assembly on Monday, alleging that government contractors were pressured to contribute money to the ruling party in the name of party funds.
Vijay referred to an Enforcement Directorate document while making his allegations. According to his reading of the document, contractors were allegedly asked to contribute between 7.5% and 10% of the value of government contracts, with the payments being made in instalments.
He said the alleged collections were linked to contractors carrying out projects under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department. Vijay argued that the ED document itself provided the evidence sought by Opposition members who had repeatedly demanded proof of his corruption charges.
The Chief Minister also referred to the ED’s description of a group as the “Karur gang” while discussing alleged irregularities connected with the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac). He claimed that money was allegedly collected from bar operators and Tasmac outlets in several districts.
Vijay alleged that former Prohibition and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji and his associates were involved in an organised network in which money was allegedly collected from Tasmac shops. He further claimed that political figures operating in Karur, Coimbatore and other areas collected money from bar owners.
The Chief Minister stressed that the allegations he was presenting came from the ED document rather than from his own party. He said the document alleged that contractors’ payments, described as party funds, ultimately benefited the political party governing Tamil Nadu at the time.
The remarks triggered a heated confrontation in the Assembly. DMK MLAs protested near Speaker JCD Prabhakar’s podium and later entered the well of the House while raising slogans. The Opposition members subsequently walked out.
Outside the Assembly, DMK Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin accused Vijay of avoiding questions concerning the state’s law-and-order situation. He described the Chief Minister’s speech as an attempt to divert attention from the Opposition’s concerns.
Udhayanidhi also alleged that a group of people close to the Chief Minister was attempting to control state mining contracts. He criticised Vijay for referring to older controversies and pending ED cases involving Opposition leaders instead of addressing the questions raised by the DMK.
He further accused the Speaker of behaving in a partisan manner and preventing the Opposition from effectively presenting its views.