TVK and DMK Trade Horse-Trading Allegations in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: Horse trading allegations flew thick and fast in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as the ruling TVK and opposition DMK accused each other of trying to poach their MLAs. While TVK linked the "attempt to topple TVK govt" to former minister V Senthil Balaji, DMK complained that chief minister C Joseph Vijay and MDMK chief Vaiko conspired to "poach two DMK MLAs." Based on the complaint from TVK Uthangarai MLA N Ilayaraja that he was contacted by an individual identified as Thirunavukkarasu to vote against the Tamil Nadu assembly speaker in a proposed motion of confidence, the police arrested three people including Thirunavukkarasu, accusing them of attempting to induce TVK MLAs. Thirunavukkarasu promised Rs 35 crore in return, said the complaint. A police statement said one of the arrested Naresh from Trichy had met Senthilbalaji’s brother V Ashok Kumar in Chennai. Preliminary inquiries have revealed that it was on behalf of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar that Thirunavukkarasu had contacted MLA Ilayaraja, the statement said. "Why are Stalin (former chief minister) and Udhayanidhi Stalin so desperate to topple TVK govt?" asked State electricity minister R Nirmal Kumar. He said not just Ilayaraja but several TVK MLAs were contacted by the accused promising upto Rs 50 crore.

Meanwhile, DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi submitted a complaint to governor R V Arlekar accusing Vijay of attempting to induce 'two DMK MLAs' and get them resign. The two MLAs were from MDMK who contested in DMK’s Rising Sun symbol in the assembly election. Bharathi quoted MDMK general secretary Vaiko’s statement that Vijay had offered to campaign and ensure their victory in the by election if the two MLAs resigned their post. Though MDMK quit the DMK front and supported TVK, the two MLAs – T M Rajendran (Kadayanallur) and Senthilselvan (Sirkazhi) refused to resign. All the four candidates fielded by MDMK under DMK alliance in the elections had contested in DMK’s symbol. "Vijay, by abusing his position as CM, had promised Vaiko that if these two MLAs resign they would be relected in subsequent by elections and that the govt may provide monetary assistance. This assurance establishes a clear attempt at horse trading," Bharathi said in the complaint, calling it an attempt to reduce DMK’s strength in the assembly. Bharathi sent the complaint to DVAC too, seeking a detailed probe.