Three persons were arrested in an alleged ₹35-crore bid to influence a TVK MLA, with the name of DMK leader Senthil Balaji surfacing during the probe. The allegations remain under investigation.
Chennai: Three persons have been arrested by the Greater Chennai Police in connection with an alleged attempt to influence a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA by offering ₹35 crore to support a proposed resolution against the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
According to the police, TVK MLA N. Ilaiyaraja, representing the Uthangarai Assembly constituency, lodged a complaint alleging that he was approached by an individual identified as Thirunavukkarasu, who introduced himself as the head of a political survey organisation. The complainant alleged that he was offered ₹35 crore in exchange for supporting the proposed resolution and was later threatened after refusing the offer.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case and arrested Thirunavukkarasu, Naresh and Thiyagarajan.
During the investigation, police said they found that Naresh had allegedly met V. Ashok Kumar, the younger brother of DMK leader and Coimbatore South MLA V. Senthil Balaji. Investigators further alleged that Thirunavukkarasu contacted the MLA and carried out the alleged acts on the instructions of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar.
The allegations against Senthil Balaji surfaced on the same day that the DMK submitted petitions to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) and Governor R. V. Arlekar seeking action against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay over alleged attempts to lure opposition legislators.
The investigation into the alleged horse-trading case is continuing. Police said further action would depend on the evidence gathered during the course of the investigation. Senthil Balaji has been named during the police investigation; however, the allegations remain under investigation and have not been adjudicated by a court.
According to the police, TVK MLA N. Ilaiyaraja, representing the Uthangarai Assembly constituency, lodged a complaint alleging that he was approached by an individual identified as Thirunavukkarasu, who introduced himself as the head of a political survey organisation. The complainant alleged that he was offered ₹35 crore in exchange for supporting the proposed resolution and was later threatened after refusing the offer.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case and arrested Thirunavukkarasu, Naresh and Thiyagarajan.
During the investigation, police said they found that Naresh had allegedly met V. Ashok Kumar, the younger brother of DMK leader and Coimbatore South MLA V. Senthil Balaji. Investigators further alleged that Thirunavukkarasu contacted the MLA and carried out the alleged acts on the instructions of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar.
The allegations against Senthil Balaji surfaced on the same day that the DMK submitted petitions to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) and Governor R. V. Arlekar seeking action against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay over alleged attempts to lure opposition legislators.
The investigation into the alleged horse-trading case is continuing. Police said further action would depend on the evidence gathered during the course of the investigation. Senthil Balaji has been named during the police investigation; however, the allegations remain under investigation and have not been adjudicated by a court.