Annamalai alleges graft by some TN ministers, claims to have audio evidence
Chennai: K. Annamalai, founder of the We The Leaders outfit and a former Tamil Nadu BJP president, on Sunday alleged that some ministers in the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay have demanded commissions ranging from 2% to 4% in certain transactions. He, however, did not name any minister, saying he possessed an audio clip to substantiate the charge.
Speaking at a meeting of his supporters in Chennai, Mr. Annamalai said that although the Chief Minister was against corruption, some ministers had started demanding a cut. "They say corruption has stopped. We have been watching, and it has started again. It is true that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is against corruption. They are not getting it in major tenders. Many Ministers have just now started receiving. I even have the audio [clip]. They have come [elected] without giving money for votes. '[But they are saying] We have given money for votes. So, give me 2%, 3%, 4%'," he said.
Mr. Annamalai said he was bringing the matter to the Chief Minister's notice now "before we rake up this issue after a year". He urged Mr. Vijay to "bridle" his Ministers and officials.
On the functioning of the government, Mr. Annamalai acknowledged that a significant political change had occurred in Tamil Nadu. "Whether the people like it or not, a revolution has occurred in Tamil Nadu after so long. A Chief Minister has come to power. I keep saying, 'let us give them a year'. Of the 108 MLAs, 101 are first-time MLAs," he said.
He added, "Let us give them a year and let them do their job. If they do not do their job well, we will be the first one to level charges against them. They are doing something right and something wrong. When we point out the mistakes, they have corrected them too. We check the functioning of the government and give them reports. When we point out how many Tasmac shops are still within 500 metres [of educational institutions and places of worship] and they take action. I would definitely appreciate it. It is a good political approach."
Referring to the 2026 Budget, which he said sought to save ₹15,000 crore, Mr. Annamalai urged the Chief Minister to allocate ₹5,000 crore each for protecting waterbodies in rural areas, improving infrastructure at government schools, and developing rural areas.
Addressing criticism that he was the BJP's "B Team", Mr. Annamalai said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had asked him to move to Delhi. "[Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader] Amit Shah asked me to shift to Delhi and get a post. When he said I should be in Delhi for about three years, I said it would not work for me and I would remain in Tamil Nadu. Let me stay here with my friends and serve the people." He suggested that BJP workers could verify this with Mr. Shah when he visits the State next.
Recalling his protest against the Karnataka unit of the BJP when he was the Tamil Nadu BJP president, Mr. Annamalai said he would always stand for the welfare of Tamil Nadu. "Even now, I believe [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi is a honest man, who has not done anything wrong. So, you should bring together the Chief Ministers of both States and find a solution [to the Cauvery water dispute]."
He also remarked that political leaders should not make decisions from distant locations. "Leaders should be in every village and should take decision on matters concerning that village. Gone are the days when decisions were taken from Fort St. George or Poes Garden or Panaiyur on the East Coast Road or Gopalapuram."
