Former Minister Senthil Balaji Named; Three Arrested as Probe Intensifies
Chennai, July 01:
A major political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after allegations surfaced of an attempt to destabilize the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government by bribing its MLAs. Former Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji has been named in the complaint filed by a TVK legislator. However, police have neither arrested him nor formally charged him, and the allegations remain under investigation.
The controversy began after TVK MLA N. Ilaiyaraja lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that he was approached by intermediaries who offered him ₹35 crore to vote against the government during a proposed Assembly resolution involving the Speaker.
According to the complaint, the objective was to reduce the government’s majority through political defections and eventually bring down the TVK government.
Based on the complaint, Tamil Nadu Police registered a criminal case and arrested three individuals allegedly involved in the bribery attempt. Investigators are examining mobile phones, electronic evidence, financial transactions, and call records to determine who masterminded and financed the alleged operation.
According to the complaint and allegations made by TVK leaders, the arrested intermediaries were acting on behalf of former minister V. Senthil Balaji. However, the police have not publicly stated that there is sufficient evidence to charge him, nor have they announced his arrest. His alleged role remains a subject of the ongoing investigation.
The police have stated that the investigation is continuing and that all possible angles are being examined. Officials are trying to establish whether there is evidence linking any political figures to the alleged conspiracy to influence legislators through monetary inducements.
The DMK has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as politically motivated.
The opposition party has also accused the TVK government of attempting to divert public attention and has countered that the ruling party itself was trying to lure opposition MLAs, a charge that TVK has rejected.
The case has gained political significance as it comes amid heightened tensions between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK. While the allegations have triggered intense political debate, no court has determined the guilt of any individual named in the complaint. The investigation remains ongoing, and further action will depend on the evidence gathered by the police.
