₹35 Crore Offer Row Shakes Tamil Nadu, Is CM Vijay’s Government Under Threat?

A major political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu after allegations of “horse-trading” triggered a fierce confrontation between the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The row has raised serious questions about political stability in the state and the future of Chief Minister Vijay’s government.

The controversy began after TVK MLA N Elaiyaraja alleged that he was offered a staggering ₹35 crore to vote in a particular manner during proceedings in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. According to his complaint, the offer was linked to a proposed resolution against the Speaker, making the situation politically sensitive.

Elaiyaraja claimed that a man identified as Thirunavukkarasu contacted him, allegedly representing a group called Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS), and said he was acting on behalf of members of a major political party. The MLA further alleged that he was not only offered money but was also threatened when he refused to comply, warning him against disclosing the conversation.

Based on the complaint, the police registered a case at Chennai’s D1 Triplicane Police Station and arrested three individuals — Thirunavukkarasu, Naresh from Tiruchirappalli, and Thiyagarajan from Chennai. According to investigators, the case has links that may extend to influential political figures.

Police sources indicated that Naresh had reportedly met V Ashok Kumar, brother of former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji, in Chennai. Further findings suggested that Thirunavukkarasu may have been acting on instructions connected to them, although the claims remain under investigation.

ALSO READ : India to Send Top Representatives for Khamenei Funeral, But Why PM Modi Isn’t Attending?

Following the arrests, Tamil Nadu minister P Nirmal Kumar accused the DMK of attempting to destabilise the government. He alleged that the opposition party had been trying to poach TVK MLAs for over a month. On the other hand, the DMK has strongly denied all allegations and has hit back with counter-claims, calling the accusations politically motivated.

The controversy has now turned into a full-blown political battle, with both sides trading charges and questioning each other’s intent. While the ruling party claims a conspiracy to topple the government, the opposition has dismissed the accusations as baseless.

As investigations continue, the incident has once again brought the issue of alleged “horse-trading” in Indian politics into the spotlight. For now, the stability of the Tamil Nadu government remains under intense scrutiny, with the coming days likely to be crucial in determining how the situation unfolds.