Vijay blasts DMK in Assembly, alleges corruption during its previous tenure in power (Img: Pinterest)
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay launched a sharp attack on the DMK government during the Assembly session, alleging large-scale corruption and claiming that contractors were forced to pay a percentage of their contract amounts as “party funds”.
Citing an Enforcement Directorate (ED) document, Vijay alleged that contractors working under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department were made to pay around 7.5% to 10% of contract values as bribes during the previous DMK regime.
The Chief Minister claimed that the money was collected in instalments, comparing the alleged practice to paying loan EMIs.
Vijay also targeted former minister V Senthil Balaji while referring to the ED’s alleged findings related to the liquor retail sector. He mentioned the term “Karur Gang” and alleged that an organised network was involved in collecting money from bar owners in different districts.
Calling it “scientific corruption”, Vijay alleged that the irregularities were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic arrangement.
He said the allegations were based on ED documents and not merely political accusations from his side.
During his Assembly speech, Vijay claimed that the ED document mentioned Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and others as alleged beneficiaries of the funds.
He said the evidence being demanded by the Opposition was already available in the ED report.
The DMK has strongly rejected the allegations and questioned Vijay’s claims.
Responding to Vijay’s attack, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the Chief Minister of using corruption allegations as a distraction from issues related to governance and law and order.
He alleged that Vijay was avoiding answers on current issues and described his Assembly speech as a political strategy.
The heated exchange led to protests inside the Assembly, with DMK MLAs raising slogans and later staging a walkout.
The face-off between Vijay and the DMK has intensified Tamil Nadu’s political atmosphere. With major parties preparing for future electoral battles, corruption allegations and counter-attacks are expected to remain key issues in state politics.
