TVK Alleges ₹50 Crore Offers to MLAs, Three Arrested as Tamil Nadu Political Row Deepens
A major political controversy has unfolded in Tamil Nadu after allegations surfaced that legislators from the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) were allegedly offered huge sums of money to switch political loyalties. The claims have triggered a police investigation, led to three arrests and intensified the confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition DMK.
The controversy began after TVK MLA N. Ilayaraja alleged that he was approached by individuals offering him ₹35 crore to influence his stand during a proposed vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The legislator claimed he rejected the offer and later approached the police, alleging that he and his family also received threats.
Acting on the complaint, Tamil Nadu Police registered a case and arrested three accused, identified as Thirunavukkarasu, Naresh and Thiyagarajan. Investigators are now probing the alleged conspiracy and examining the links between the accused and political figures.
As the allegations gained momentum, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph C. Vijay convened a meeting of alliance partners in Chennai to discuss the political situation. The opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, meanwhile, called for a detailed investigation into the horse-trading allegations.
The political row escalated further after TVK minister Nirmal Kumar accused senior DMK leaders of attempting to lure ruling party MLAs with cash offers. He alleged that some legislators were promised amounts ranging from ₹10 crore to ₹50 crore in an effort to destabilise the government. Kumar also claimed that one MLA was threatened after refusing to cooperate.
According to police sources, one of the arrested accused was allegedly in regular contact with Ashok Kumar, the brother of senior DMK leader Senthil Balaji. Investigators are examining call records and other evidence to determine whether there was any wider conspiracy behind the alleged attempts to influence legislators.
The DMK has denied wrongdoing and demanded an impartial probe into the allegations. With the investigation now underway, the controversy has added a fresh layer of political tension in Tamil Nadu, where the ruling TVK government has been in office for less than two months. Authorities are expected to continue questioning the arrested individuals as they seek to establish the full facts behind the alleged horse-trading operation.
