Vijay slams DMK's corruption, names Stalin, Udhayanidhi as beneficiaries

Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay has ignited a political storm by alleging widespread, organised corruption within the opposition DMK during its previous rule, citing crucial Enforcement Directorate documents.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday trained his guns on main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagm in the assembly by alleging serious, organised corruption and collection of "party fund" during its regime. He also hit out at the DMK's "Mr Clean" image, accusing it of "systemic corruption" and saying the Opposition routinely demands proof when such charges are raised.

Citing Enforcement Directorate documents, the chief minister listed alleged corruption during the previous DMK regime in the municipal administration department and in the state government-run liquor behemoth TASMAC.

Allegations Against DMK Leadership 

"The bribes were collected from contractors of the MAWS Department for government works in the form of party funds. It was not taken all at once, but in instalments-much like paying an EMI on a loan. These are not allegations made by us; these are explicit findings in the report by the Enforcement Directorate itself," the CM said, launching a broadside against the DMK.

Vijay named Stalin, DMK president and LoP Udhayanidhi as alleged beneficiaries of the funds, triggering loud protests from DMK members, who later staged a walkout from the House.

Recalling the Justice Sarkaria Commission report of 1976, Vijay claimed that it had recorded instances of "party funds" being demanded for the award of government contracts and argued that the alleged practices of the present day mirrored those of the past.

Reading from ED documents, the CM alleged that contractors executing projects under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department were allegedly forced to pay commissions ranging from 7.5 to 10 per cent of the total contract value.

"The bribes were collected from contractors of the MAWS Department for government works in the form of party funds. It was not taken all at once, but in instalments-much like paying an EMI on a loan. These are not allegations made by us; these are explicit findings in the report by the Enforcement Directorate itself," the CM said, launching a broadside against the DMK.

Former excise minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok were also cited by the CM in respect of alleged corruption in TASMAC.

"Dishonest intention, what a great achievement that is DMK," the CM asserted again, referring to the Union government agency's papers.

Assembly Showdown Over Corruption Claims

The allegations led to a major showdown and the main opposition strongly opposed the chief minister's statement and a ruckus ensued.

DMK MLAs surrounded Speaker JCD Prabhakar's podium, raised slogans and rushed to the well. The Assembly Speaker repeatedly intervened, reminding the DMK members that the proceedings were being telecast live and that people were watching their conduct.

Vijay initially cited the Sarkaria Commission report of the 1970s over alleged "2.5 per cent corruption in tenders," during the then DMK regime led by M Karunanidhi.

Citing the "Karur gang" reference by the ED over alleged graft in TASMAC, he said even illegalities were done in an organised manner and alleged that "this was the scientific corruption" during the DMK regime.

When files related to just two departments were opened, so much was getting disclosed, he said, adding, what would be the outcome if more was scrutinised.

DMK Stages Walkout

Vijay named Stalin, DMK president and LoP Udhayanidhi as alleged beneficiaries of the funds, triggering loud protests from DMK members, who later staged a walkout from the House.

Chaos unfolded in the House as DMK legislators rushed to the well, surrounding the podium in protest.

He warned the protesting members that disciplinary action would be initiated if they did not immediately return to their seats.

Leader of the House K A Sengottaiyan urged the Chair to take formal action against the Opposition members for disrupting the CM's address.

The Speaker denied permission to the Opposition members to respond to the charges, citing their continued disruption, unruly behaviour and display of posters inside the House.

Following the Speaker's refusal, the DMK members staged a walkout.

In his speech, Vijay mocked the DMK's "Mr Clean" image, saying evidence of past and present corruption could be found in the Assembly's own library records.

"Whenever my friends or I speak, just by mentioning the word 'corruption', they (DMK) immediately jump in and ask, 'give us proof, give us proof.' But they never mention one thing-have you noticed it? They never say, 'we have never committed corruption'," Vijay said, amid the thumping of tables by Treasury benches.

"We will dig deep, investigate, and bring everything to light to break the fake image and brand that is deceiving the people. I am not saying this as a warning; I am saying it very decently, with love, very cutely and very lovingly," Vijay said.

Continuing his attack, the CM said there were two types of people-those who made mistakes and got caught, and those who planned how to avoid getting caught.

"Our friends (DMK) here belong to the second category," he said.

The DMK, he said, proudly claimed that mistakes did not happen where it was present, or that it was not present where mistakes occurred.

"I will say it the other way around: mistakes only happen where the DMK is present, and the DMK is only present where mistakes happen," Vijay said, accusing the party of raising demands for proof whenever corruption charges were made.

Referring to the earlier Maintenance of Internal Security Act, Vijay criticised the Opposition for repeatedly invoking its history whenever it was challenged, saying people were aware of that history and were now watching its conduct in the present.

The CM also criticised the Opposition for its response to the public mandate, saying it was unable to accept the people's verdict and lacked the temperament to remain in politics.