DMK Alleges TVK Offered Ministry, Cash to Poach Two MLAs

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, seeking action over what it described as an attempt by the ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) to poach two of its MLAs.

The memorandum, presented by DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi, legal adviser P. Wilson, MLA S. Austin, and former MLA I. Paranthaman, alleged that the TVK offered inducements to Mr. Austin and Veppanahalli MLA Srinivasan to join the ruling party.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Governor, Mr. Bharathi claimed that Mr. Austin, who represents the Nagercoil constituency, was promised “a Ministry of his choice” if he resigned his Assembly seat and joined the TVK. Mr. Srinivasan, he alleged, was offered “₹50 crore and the post of chairman of a government board.”

Mr. Bharathi also alleged that two associates of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay — John Arokiasamy and Vishnu Reddy — had been participating in Cabinet meetings and intervening in government administration. “They have been allotted rooms in the Secretariat. They also accompany Mr. Vijay on his tours and participate in government functions,” he alleged.

According to Mr. Bharathi, the Governor shared the view that private individuals could not participate in Cabinet meetings or discharge governmental functions. “His remarks give us hope that he will take action,” Mr. Bharathi said.

The DMK delegation also raised with the Governor the arrest of party MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan in connection with a defamation case, contending that arrests are not ordinarily made in such cases. “The police interrogated him for five hours. Under the guise of interrogation, they attempted horse trading. Mr. Radhakrishnan himself has explained this in his interview,” Mr. Bharathi alleged.