‘Party Fund’ Allegations: Chief Minister Vijay Launches Sharp Attack on DMK in Tamil Nadu Assembly

‘Party Fund’ Allegations: Chief Minister Vijay Launches Sharp Attack on DMK in Tamil Nadu Assembly

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched a strong attack on the opposition DMK during his reply to the demand for grants for the Police Department in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Monday.

Vijay alleged that organised corruption and the collection of money in the name of “party funds” had taken place during the previous DMK regime. While making the allegations, he cited documents of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and referred to alleged irregularities in government departments.

According to reports of his Assembly speech, Vijay alleged that contractors executing projects under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department were made to pay amounts ranging from 7.5% to 10% of contract values in the name of party funds. He described the alleged collections as bribes being collected under the guise of party contributions. 

Vijay further claimed that the ED document cited former Chief Minister M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin among the alleged beneficiaries of the funds. These were presented by Vijay as allegations based on the documents he referred to during his speech, rather than as established findings by a court.

The Chief Minister also raised allegations relating to irregularities in the state-run TASMAC system. In this context, he referred to former minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok while citing what he described as details from ED-related material. 

Vijay also described the alleged corruption as being carried out in an organised manner and used the phrase “scientific corruption” while attacking the previous DMK administration. He questioned what further details could emerge if documents relating to additional departments were examined.

The Chief Minister’s remarks triggered a strong reaction from DMK members in the Assembly. Opposition MLAs protested against his statements, raised slogans and created a commotion inside the House. Reports said the opposition subsequently staged a walkout. 

Speaking on law and order as part of his response to the Police Department’s demand for grants, Vijay also reiterated that the police should act as a friend to law-abiding people and as an opponent of those involved in crime.

He maintained that legal action would be taken against anyone involved in criminal activities, irrespective of their political affiliation. The Chief Minister said the government’s approach was to strengthen policing, prevent crime and ensure that offenders face action under the law.

The Assembly proceedings therefore saw a sharp political confrontation, with the Chief Minister using ED-related documents to level corruption allegations against the previous DMK government and the opposition strongly objecting to the charges.