DMK Demands Action Against CM Joseph Vijay Over Alleged Horse Trading

On Wednesday, the DMK filed formal complaints with the State Governor and the Director of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) demanding action against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for alleged horse trading, criminal conspiracy, and abuse of public office. The complaints, submitted by DMK organization secretary R S Bharati, followed revelations made during an MDMK meeting held in Anna Nagar, Chennai, on Saturday.

According to the complaints, MDMK general secretary Vaiko openly admitted during his party's General Body meeting in Anna Nagar that Chief Minister Vijay, who leads the TVK, attempted to make two MDMK MLAs resign. The two legislators are T M Rajendran of the Kadayanallur constituency and S Senthil Selvan of the Sirkazhi constituency. Both MLAs had contested the elections under the 'Rising Sun' symbol as DMK candidates.

The DMK alleged that these actions amounted to subverting the democratic process and frustrating the mandate of the people. According to Bharati, Vaiko revealed that Vijay had requested him to engage in horse trading when Vaiko called on the Chief Minister at his residence in Foreshore Estate ahead of the Saturday meeting.

The complaints state that Vijay assured Vaiko that if the two MLAs resigned, they would be elected in subsequent bye-elections and would also receive monetary assistance. Bharati argued that this assurance exposed a criminal intention and constituted an abuse of official position as Chief Minister, warranting an immediate and impartial investigation.

Although Vaiko reportedly conveyed the Chief Minister's suggestion to Rajendran and Selvan, both MLAs refused to resign. The DMK termed the move a corrupt practice to artificially secure a majority in the House. The TVK, which won 108 seats in the elections, has allegedly been persuading MLAs of other parties to resign and join their party to secure a majority in an upcoming vote of confidence.