Tamil Nadu Minister's Bribery Claim in Assembly Sparks Political Row, DVAC Probe Sought
Chennai – Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N Marie Wilson made a startling statement in the State Assembly on Monday, alleging that he was forced to pay a bribe to officials of the School Education Department during the previous DMK government. The remark has triggered a political confrontation, with the opposition DMK demanding an investigation into the minister’s confession.
Wilson, who belongs to the ruling party, said he was a "direct witness" to corruption under the previous regime. He claimed that he had to part with a large sum of money to obtain approvals for his educational institutions at Global Educational Trust in T Nagar, Chennai.
"I am the evidence; I am the witness," Wilson told the Assembly. "I can say exactly how much amount was given at a place called Global in T Nagar. Let them file a defamation case or hold an inquiry; I am ready to face it directly."
The allegations drew an immediate rebuttal from DMK leader and former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, who urged the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to summon and question Wilson. Poyyamozhi described the minister’s statement as a "grave mistake" and argued that it amounted to a confession of a crime.
"For a minister to stand in the Assembly and repeatedly say 'I gave the bribe' is a serious matter," Poyyamozhi said. "Since he claims to be the direct witness to paying a bribe, I request the DVAC director to summon and investigate him immediately."
Poyyamozhi also dismissed Wilson's allegations as a personal vendetta. He said the accusations were retaliation for legal action taken against Wilson's educational institutions in December last year. According to the former minister, education department officials had discovered that Wilson was running a school in Pallavaram without valid permission, allegedly using forged documents originally obtained for a school in Krishnagiri district.
"A case was filed over this, and he has already been summoned for inquiry," Poyyamozhi claimed. He further accused Wilson of collecting capitation fees from poor students at the colleges he manages. "We are ready to face whatever he claims," he challenged.
The exchange underscores the intense rivalry between the ruling party and the DMK in Tamil Nadu. Wilson's comments in the Assembly are unusual because a sitting minister has publicly admitted to paying a bribe, even as he accuses the previous government of corruption. This has placed the focus on the due process that should follow.
Political observers note that the DVAC, which usually probes corruption charges against public officials, may now need to decide whether to act on Poyyamozhi's request. The minister, for his part, has said he is willing to face any inquiry. However, no formal complaint has been filed with the DVAC as of now.
The former DMK minister's counter-allegations – about the Pallavaram school’s forged documents and capitation fees – are also serious. If these are substantiated, Wilson could face separate legal consequences. The dispute thus extends beyond a mere political spat, with potential legal implications for both sides.
As the Assembly session continues, the matter is expected to dominate discussions. The opposition is likely to press for a thorough investigation, while the ruling party may seek to shift the focus to alleged corruption in the previous DMK regime. The credibility of the institutions involved – the education department, the DVAC, and the Assembly itself – rests on how the issue is handled.
The allegations come at a time when the ruling party has consistently accused the previous DMK administration of corruption. The DMK has dismissed these charges as politically motivated. This latest incident gives both sides fresh ammunition, and the public is watching closely to see whether a formal inquiry will follow.
