TTV Dinakaran seeks Governor’s intervention over alleged horse-trading
AMMK General Secretary TTV Dinakaran met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on August 26 and submitted a memorandum seeking action over what he described as the alleged “horse-trading” of legislators.
After the meeting, Dinakaran said he had urged the Governor to take steps against attempts to lure elected representatives away from their parties. He argued that such practices could undermine the mandate given by voters.
Dinakaran alleged that members of the ruling establishment were attempting to attract Opposition MLAs and said recent comments by a state minister warranted scrutiny.
He also criticised legislators who resign from their parties and subsequently switch political allegiance, arguing that such moves go against the wishes of voters in their constituencies.
According to Dinakaran, the alleged practice had continued for more than 100 days and required intervention to protect democratic principles in the state.
AIADMK National Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan separately levelled similar allegations, describing what he called “scientific horse-trading” by the government.
Sathyan alleged that the ruling TVK administration was conscious of its numerical position in the Assembly and was attempting to strengthen itself by attracting Opposition legislators. He claimed that some AIADMK MLAs had been pressured or offered incentives before resigning and alleged that they were promised political benefits after joining TVK. The allegations have been presented by AIADMK and AMMK as grounds for an inquiry into the alleged poaching of legislators.