Tamil Nadu CM Vijay accuses DMK of organised corruption, party fund collection

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday accused the main opposition DMK of being involved in organised corruption and collecting money in the name of party funds during its previous tenure.

Speaking in the Assembly, Vijay cited documents of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to raise allegations of corruption in the municipal administration department and the state-run liquor retailer TASMAC during the earlier DMK government.

Referring to the ED documents, Vijay alleged that former Chief Minister M K Stalin and his deputy Udhayanidhi were named by the central agency as among the alleged beneficiaries in connection with the collection of "party funds".

Vijay also referred to former Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok while making allegations related to alleged irregularities in TASMAC.

Referring to the central agency's documents, Vijay said, "Dishonest intention, what a great achievement that is DMK."

His remarks triggered a confrontation in the Assembly, with DMK MLAs strongly objecting to the allegations. The opposition members surrounded Speaker JCD Prabhakar's podium, raised slogans and entered the well of the House.

Vijay initially referred to the Sarkaria Commission report of the 1970s, which had dealt with allegations of "2.5 per cent corruption in tenders" during the then DMK government led by M Karunanidhi.

He also referred to the ED's mention of the "Karur gang" in connection with alleged corruption in TASMAC. Vijay alleged that the irregularities were carried out in an organised manner and described it as "scientific corruption" during the DMK regime.

The chief minister said the examination of files relating to only two departments had brought several allegations to light and questioned what could emerge if more departments were scrutinised.  (with inputs from PTI)