Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK in the Assembly on Monday, alleging that contractors were pressured to pay money to the party under the label of “party funds”.
Responding to Opposition demands for documentary evidence behind his corruption allegations, Vijay pointed towards an Enforcement Directorate (ED) document and claimed it contained details supporting his charges.
“Let me give you a sample. The ED has sent a document. Let me give you a few highlights,” Vijay said while presenting what he described as key findings from the document before the Assembly.
According to Vijay, the alleged collection system involved contractors paying a percentage of the value of government contracts as party contributions. He claimed the amount could range from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent in certain cases.
Vijay cites Sarkaria Commission report
During his speech, Vijay went back to the findings of the Sarkaria Commission, which had examined corruption allegations linked to the DMK government in the 1970s.
He referred specifically to tenders connected with the Veeranam water scheme and claimed the commission’s report mentioned a demand for money as a party contribution.
“One chapter says 2.5 per cent as party fund was demanded by Maran. The tender was for Rs 16 crore,” Vijay said.
He also recalled that the issue had been raised in 2001 by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and former minister C Ponnaiyan.
“When we dug a bit, a lot came out,” Vijay said while referring to the material he cited from the report.
Vijay subsequently referred to a person identified as Purushotham, claiming that Rs 29 lakh had allegedly been collected as a bribe.
“The bribe was taken in instalments, like EMI for a loan,” Vijay said.
‘The ED document says 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent’
Vijay then shifted his focus to what he described as findings in an ED document concerning alleged collections from contractors working under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.
He alleged that contractors were being asked to make payments in the name of party funds.
“They want party fund evidence. This is by the ED,” Vijay said.
“The ED document says 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent as party funds. The bribes were collected from the Municipal Department,” he alleged.
He further claimed that the money was allegedly collected “in the form of party fund for the benefit of the party in power”.
“Which party was in power? DMK,” Vijay said.
Vijay names Stalin, Udhayanidhi among alleged beneficiaries
The Chief Minister also claimed that the ED document identified several alleged beneficiaries of the funds, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
“The direct beneficiary of the party fund is Mr MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, his son Mr Udhayanidhi Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister, Ravi Prasad and unknown persons,” he said.
These claims were presented by Vijay as part of his argument that the Opposition’s demand for evidence had already been addressed through the documents he cited.
Senthil Balaji allegation also raised
Vijay also brought up the ED’s alleged findings concerning former minister V Senthil Balaji.
“The ED says that Senthil Balaji abused his official position with dishonest intention, entered with dishonest intention,” Vijay said.
He then took another swipe at the DMK, adding, “What a great achievement? This is DMK.”
The Chief Minister further alleged that government officials, including some IAS officers, were involved in the alleged network alongside ministers.
He referred to a person named Rathish and described him as “a central figure operating as an unauthorised power”.
“Who is this Rathish? He is hiding in Dubai after our government came to power,” Vijay alleged.
Vijay says allegations are based on ED documents
Vijay concluded by stressing that his statements were based on documents attributed to the Enforcement Directorate and maintained that he was not attempting to interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings.
“We are not involving in court matters,” he said.
The Chief Minister maintained that the ED document constituted the evidence sought by the Opposition regarding his allegations surrounding the collection of “party funds”.
The allegations made in the Assembly are political claims cited by Vijay from documents he attributed to the ED. The individuals and organisations named in the allegations would have an opportunity to respond to or contest the claims.
