TVK ,DMK trade horse trading allegations (Photo credit: Agencies) CHENNAI: Horse trading allegations flew thick and fast in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as the ruling TVK and opposition DMK accused each other of trying to poach their MLAs. While TVK linked the ‘attempt to topple TVK govt’ to former minister V Senthil Balaji, DMK complained that chief minister C Joseph Vijay and MDMK chief Vaiko conspired to `poach two DMK MLAs.’Based on the complaint from TVK Uthangarai MLA N Ilayaraja that he was contacted by an individual identified as Thirunavukkarasu to vote against the Tamil Nadu assembly speaker in a proposed motion of confidence, the police arrested three people including Thirunavukkarasu, accusing them of attempting to induce TVK MLAs. Thirunavukkarasu promised Rs 35 crore in return, said the complaint.A police statement said one of the arrested Naresh from Trichy had met Senthilbalaji’s brother V Ashok Kumar in Chennai. Preliminary inquiries have revealed that it was on behalf of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar that Thirunavukkarasu had contacted MLA Ilayaraja, the statement said.”Why are Stalin (former chief minister) and Udhayanidhi Stalin so desperate to topple TVK govt?” asked State electricity minister R Nirmal Kumar. He said not just Ilayaraja but several TVK MLAs were contacted by the accused promising upto Rs 50 crore.Meanwhile, DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi submitted a complaint to governor R V Arlekar accusing Vijay of attempting to induce ‘two DMK MLAs’ and get them resign. The two MLAs were from MDMK who contested in DMK’s Rising Sun symbol in the assembly election. Bharathi quoted MDMK general secretary Vaiko’s statement that Vijay had offered to campaign and ensure their victory in the by election if the two MLAs resigned their post. Though MDMK quit the DMK front and supported TVK, the two MLAs – T M Rajendran (Kadayanallur) and Senthilselvan (Sirkazhi) refused to resign. All the four candidates fielded by MDMK under DMK alliance in the elections had contested in DMK’s symbol.”Vijay, by abusing his position as CM, had promised Vaiko that if these two MLAs resign they would be relected in subsequent by elections and that the govt may provide monetary assistance. This assurance establishes a clear attempt at horse trading,” Bharathi said in the complaint, calling it an attempt to reduce DMK’s strength in the assembly. Bharathi sent the complaint to DVAC too, seeking a detailed probe.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJuly 1 Rule Changes Explained: Costlier Passports, Free Aadhaar Updates, EPFO And ITR DeadlinesWhy Thousands Are Visiting Lohagad Fort’s Alleged Murder Spot | ‘Siya Point’ |Dark Tourism ExplainedUS Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Birthright Order, Big Relief For Indians In USBilawal Bhutto Accuses India Of ‘Weaponising’ Water Amid Indus Waters Treaty RowDelhi May Soon Get Its Own London Eye As DDA Revives Giant Observation Wheel ProjectWhy Nayara Reduced Fuel Prices But PSU Oil Companies Didn’t?Dhaka Threatens Action Against Media Airing Sheikh Hasina’s Statements After Return ClaimSpecialised ‘Baaz Battalions’ to Strengthen Border Monitoring, ISR and Battlefield Awareness’Break Silos, Self-Reliance’: PM Modi Holds High-Level Meet With Union SecretariesMumbai Horror: School Bus Crushed By Falling Tree In Mumbai; One Child Dead, Five Injured123PhotostoriesPsychology says people-pleasing is a trauma response, and you don’t even know itFrom Naan to Khulcha: 12 popular Indian breads, their calories and what they taste best with8 Most beautiful train journeys in South India you should take at least onceAlia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh rewrite promotional style rules with sharp denim cuts and a striking diamond ring6 lakes in India with clear, mirror-like water that deserves a visitKidney disease symptoms are often vague, says Mayo Clinic: These 8 signs can appear when your kidneys lose functionFrom John Cena to Wayne Rooney: 12 stars on their hair transplant journeys.Success quote of the day by Pelé: ‘I don’t believe there is such a thing as a “born” soccer player”Self-medication with the wrong eye drops is a key reason eye infections spike during the monsoon,’ expert warnsCan you spot the hidden summer snack in this busy market? This viral brainteaser is tricking thousands123Hot PicksLPG gas priceCBSE best marks ruleCBSE Class 12 supplementary exam 202Ram Temple donation theftMumbai RainsNew visa ruleZohran MamdaniNayara petrol priceHow to Watch FIFA World Cup TodayTop TrendingNayara energy petrol priceLPG priceKetan Agarwal Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026Monaco BlastBengaluru TechieAnukalp MishraSergei IvanovIndigo Check-in Bag FaresAyodhya Ram Temple Donation Theft
CHENNAI: Horse trading allegations flew thick and fast in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday as the ruling TVK and opposition DMK accused each other of trying to poach their MLAs. While TVK linked the ‘attempt to topple TVK govt’ to former minister V Senthil Balaji, DMK complained that chief minister C Joseph Vijay and MDMK chief Vaiko conspired to `poach two DMK MLAs.’Based on the complaint from TVK Uthangarai MLA N Ilayaraja that he was contacted by an individual identified as Thirunavukkarasu to vote against the Tamil Nadu assembly speaker in a proposed motion of confidence, the police arrested three people including Thirunavukkarasu, accusing them of attempting to induce TVK MLAs. Thirunavukkarasu promised Rs 35 crore in return, said the complaint.A police statement said one of the arrested Naresh from Trichy had met Senthilbalaji’s brother V Ashok Kumar in Chennai. Preliminary inquiries have revealed that it was on behalf of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar that Thirunavukkarasu had contacted MLA Ilayaraja, the statement said.“Why are Stalin (former chief minister) and Udhayanidhi Stalin so desperate to topple TVK govt?” asked State electricity minister R Nirmal Kumar. He said not just Ilayaraja but several TVK MLAs were contacted by the accused promising upto Rs 50 crore.Meanwhile, DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi submitted a complaint to governor R V Arlekar accusing Vijay of attempting to induce ‘two DMK MLAs’ and get them resign. The two MLAs were from MDMK who contested in DMK’s Rising Sun symbol in the assembly election. Bharathi quoted MDMK general secretary Vaiko’s statement that Vijay had offered to campaign and ensure their victory in the by election if the two MLAs resigned their post. Though MDMK quit the DMK front and supported TVK, the two MLAs – T M Rajendran (Kadayanallur) and Senthilselvan (Sirkazhi) refused to resign. All the four candidates fielded by MDMK under DMK alliance in the elections had contested in DMK’s symbol.“Vijay, by abusing his position as CM, had promised Vaiko that if these two MLAs resign they would be relected in subsequent by elections and that the govt may provide monetary assistance. This assurance establishes a clear attempt at horse trading,” Bharathi said in the complaint, calling it an attempt to reduce DMK’s strength in the assembly. Bharathi sent the complaint to DVAC too, seeking a detailed probe.
