Tamil Nadu minister alleges DMK and AIADMK tried to buy TVK MLAs
Minister Nirmal Kumar claimed that Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam legislators were offered Rs 60-70 crore to switch sides after the elections.
Tamil Nadu State Law and Electricity Minister Nirmal Kumar has alleged that leaders linked to the DMK and AIADMK tried to buy Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLAs. According to a News18 report, Kumar claimed that these attempts to contact TVK MLAs have continued since the elections concluded.
The minister stated that some individuals, including key people from Karur, have already been arrested by the police for such attempts. He alleged that TVK MLAs were offered between Rs 60 crore and Rs 70 crore, though he insisted no legislator would accept the money.
Responding to the allegations, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan rejected the claim that the DMK or AIADMK offered money to TVK MLAs. Elangovan accused the ruling party of using horse-trading to stay in power and referred to the TVK's 'sofa model'.
The DMK leader alleged the ruling party benefited from the resignation and subsequent switch of six AIADMK MLAs to the TVK. The TVK, which won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, secured support from the Congress and various regional parties to reach the 118-seat majority mark.
In July, the Tamil Nadu Police arrested eight people for allegedly offering money to a TVK MLA to vote against the government in a proposed no-confidence motion. The TVK has turned down allegations of horse-trading.