Udhayanidhi challenges Vijay to act on corruption files
Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin has challenged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to release three alleged corruption-related files that Vijay had previously referred to in the Assembly and initiate action against those found responsible.
During an Assembly debate, Udhayanidhi referred to Vijay’s earlier claim that three files connected with the previous DMK government were under his consideration.
Udhayanidhi questioned why the documents had not yet been made public and urged the Chief Minister to disclose their contents and proceed against anyone found guilty. His remarks were subsequently removed from the Assembly proceedings by Speaker J C D Prabhakar.
Minister N Anand said the government possessed adequate evidence concerning the files and would take legal action at the appropriate stage.
The Speaker rejected Udhayanidhi’s suggestion that Vijay depended on others while taking important decisions. Prabhakar said the Chief Minister made decisions after formal discussions with government officials and on the basis of his own assessment.
The Speaker also cautioned legislators against using inflammatory language, cinematic-style remarks or unsupported allegations unless documentary evidence was available.
The controversy follows Vijay’s August 19 statement that three files containing evidence concerning departments under the previous administration were before him. He had said the material would be made public at an appropriate time.
Udhayanidhi also criticised the government’s proposal to provide official vehicles to all MLAs. He said the DMK’s 59 legislators would not accept the proposed vehicles and argued that government funds should not be used for the scheme, particularly when the Chief Minister had referred to the state’s financial difficulties.