CHENNAI, September 7: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched a major attack on the previous DMK government in the state Assembly on Monday, alleging what he described as “organised corruption” involving government contracts, alleged collections in the name of “party funds” and irregularities linked to state-run liquor retailer TASMAC.
Vijay cited documents that he said had been sent by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and referred to the Sarkaria Commission report while making the allegations. The claims triggered uproar in the House, with DMK legislators entering the Well before eventually staging a walkout.
Vijay Cites ED Documents in Assembly
Addressing the Assembly, Vijay said the opposition had repeatedly challenged his government to produce evidence for corruption allegations against the previous administration.
He then read portions of documents he attributed to the Enforcement Directorate, alleging irregularities in departments including:
- Municipal Administration and Water Supply
- Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC)
- Government tender allocation
- Collections allegedly made as “party funds”
Vijay maintained that he was referring to allegations contained in official agency documents rather than making unsupported claims of his own.
Contractors Allegedly Paid 7.5% to 10% as ‘Party Funds’
One of Vijay’s central allegations concerned government contracts awarded during the previous DMK administration.
According to his reading of the ED material, contractors were allegedly required to pay between 7.5% and 10% of individual tender values in the name of party funds.
The allegations were linked particularly to tenders under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply departments. The claims cited by Vijay have not been independently established merely by his Assembly statement and remain allegations referenced from investigative documents.
Stalin and Udhayanidhi Named in Vijay’s Allegations
Vijay further claimed that the documents referred to former Chief Minister M K Stalin and current Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin as alleged beneficiaries in connection with the collection of party funds.
He used the documents to argue that the alleged system went beyond isolated instances and represented a structured pattern of corruption.
The DMK strongly rejected the accusations, with Udhayanidhi later describing Vijay’s claims as baseless and accusing the Assembly Speaker of denying him an opportunity to respond inside the House.
TASMAC Allegations Put Senthil Balaji in Focus
Vijay also turned his attention to alleged corruption involving TASMAC, Tamil Nadu’s state-run liquor marketing corporation.
He referred to former minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok Kumar, alleging that ED documents contained references to improper influence and corruption connected with TASMAC operations during the previous government.
Vijay also referred to an individual named Ratheesh, whom he said the ED had characterised as a central figure or unauthorised intermediary in the alleged network.
‘Karur Gang’ Reference Sparks Political Attack
The Chief Minister said the ED documents referred to a group of intermediaries operating around Karur and Coimbatore as the “Karur gang”.
According to Vijay’s allegations, money was collected from bar operators through an organised network.
He used the episode to describe the alleged system as a form of “scientific corruption”, arguing that even illegal collections had allegedly been conducted through an organised structure.
Sarkaria Commission Report Also Raised
Vijay went further back into Tamil Nadu’s political history by invoking the Sarkaria Commission report of the 1970s.
He alleged that the report contained an instance in which a relative of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi sought a 2.5% commission in connection with a government tender.
Vijay also referred to allegations surrounding the Veeranam water supply project and said the historical material was relevant because the DMK frequently invoked its political legacy.
Assembly Descends Into Uproar
The Chief Minister’s allegations triggered heated scenes inside the Assembly.
DMK legislators led by Udhayanidhi Stalin stood in protest, raised slogans and demanded permission for the Leader of Opposition to respond.
Several MLAs moved into the Well of the House, while others gathered near Speaker J C D Prabhakar’s podium.
The Speaker initially asked the opposition members to return to their seats and allow the Chief Minister to complete his address.
DMK Walks Out After Udhayanidhi Denied Immediate Reply
Udhayanidhi sought permission to answer the allegations against himself, M K Stalin and former DMK ministers.
According to reports from the Assembly, the Speaker initially indicated that an opportunity could be considered, but Udhayanidhi was ultimately not permitted to respond at that point.
DMK legislators then walked out of the Assembly in protest.
Outside the House, Udhayanidhi accused Vijay of making unsupported accusations while denying the opposition a chance to respond.
Vijay Says More Files Could Reveal Further Details
Vijay said his government had examined material connected with only a limited number of departments and suggested that additional scrutiny could reveal more information.
He argued that the allegations he presented were only a “sample” of records available to the government and vowed to challenge what he described as the DMK’s public image on governance and corruption.
His remarks followed an earlier Assembly exchange in which Udhayanidhi had criticised the new TVK government over law and order, prompting Vijay to promise a detailed response on Monday.
Corruption Battle Intensifies Between TVK and DMK
The confrontation represents a sharp escalation in the political battle between Vijay’s ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the opposition DMK.
Vijay’s government came to power after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, ending the previous DMK administration. Since then, governance, law and order, corruption allegations and investigations involving former ministers have become major points of confrontation between the two sides.
The allegations cited in the Assembly remain politically and legally contested, and references to individuals in investigative material do not by themselves establish criminal guilt.
With the DMK demanding an opportunity to rebut Vijay’s claims and the Chief Minister promising further scrutiny of previous government records, corruption is likely to remain a major flashpoint in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
source – PTI / The New Indian Express
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