TVK MLA alleges threat to life, poaching attempts by DMK
Poaching of MLAs has been a rarity in Tamil Nadu politics. But the latest allegations suggest a shift, coming months after Vijay formed a coalition government after falling short of a majority by 10 seats, pointing to a more volatile phase in the state's political landscape.
Days after a TVK MLA dropped a political bombshell by alleging that he was offered Rs 30–35 crore to switch sides and that 10 ruling party MLAs and a sitting minister had already agreed to join the DMK, another TVK legislator has levelled fresh charges of poaching.
Speaking to the media in Thoothukudi, TVK’s Srivaikuntam MLA Saravanan alleged that he was offered between 30 crore and 50 crore to join the DMK and claimed that he faced threats to his life after refusing the offer.
“Several people have approached me offering Rs 30 crore, Rs 50 crore and even more. They asked me to join the DMK,” he said.
He further alleged that individuals linked to the DMK had visited his office and threatened to kill him by running him over with a lorry. He also claimed there was an attempt on his life last month.
“One such incident occurred 25 days ago when a lorry came straight towards me and I had to swerve completely to escape,” he said.
SLAMS DMK'S ANITHA RADHAKRISHNAN
Saravanan also hit out at DMK leader Anitha Radhakrishnan, who had earlier alleged that he was arrested to pressure him into quitting the Assembly and joining TVK.
Reacting to the allegations, Radhakrishnan had told reporters after his arrest on July 4, “It was not horse-trading, but camel-trading that was offered to me; it will never happen.”
Responding to the statement, Saravanan said, “You are making allegations while I have evidence.”
Radhakrishnan had been arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a public event, where he reportedly mocked Vijay’s appearance and his transition from cinema to politics.
The Srivaikuntam MLA further alleged that he was being targeted because he comes from a modest background in a region where politics is dominated by the wealthy elite. Srivaikuntam falls in Thoothukudi district in southern Tamil Nadu.
TVK MLA N ELAIYARAJA'S POACHING CHARGES
Saravanan’s allegations come days after TVK MLA N Elaiyaraja also claimed that he was offered Rs 30–35 crore to switch allegiance. He alleged that an intermediary told him that 10 TVK MLAs and one minister had already agreed to join the DMK.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Elaiyaraja said the accused, Thirunavukkarasu, had claimed that several legislators were already on board and repeatedly attempted to persuade him to join the alleged plan.
“He said he had already convinced 10 TVK MLAs and one minister. He even claimed a sitting minister was on board and offered me 30–35 crore in cash,” Elaiyaraja said.
The MLA said he rejected the offer outright and reaffirmed his loyalty to CM Vijay.
POACHING ALLEGATIONS HIT TAMIL NADU POLITICS
The development came hours after Tamil Nadu Police arrested Thirunavukkarasu, Naresh and Thiyagarajan in connection with an alleged attempt to induce TVK legislators. Police also named former DMK minister Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok Kumar in the FIR, alleging links to the conspiracy. The DMK has denied the allegations.
The controversy has since escalated into a full-blown political slugfest, with TVK accusing the DMK of attempting to destabilise the Vijay-led government through horse-trading, while the DMK has demanded an FIR against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister over allegations that he attempted to induce two DMK MLAs to resign.
Poaching of MLAs has been a rarity in Tamil Nadu politics. But the latest allegations suggest a shift, coming months after Vijay formed a coalition government after falling short of a majority by 10 seats, pointing to a more volatile phase in the state’s political landscape.
Days after a TVK MLA dropped a political bombshell by alleging that he was offered Rs 30–35 crore to switch sides and that 10 ruling party MLAs and a sitting minister had already agreed to join the DMK, another TVK legislator has levelled fresh charges of poaching.
Speaking to the media in Thoothukudi, TVK’s Srivaikuntam MLA Saravanan alleged that he was offered between 30 crore and 50 crore to join the DMK and claimed that he faced threats to his life after refusing the offer.
“Several people have approached me offering Rs 30 crore, Rs 50 crore and even more. They asked me to join the DMK,” he said.
He further alleged that individuals linked to the DMK had visited his office and threatened to kill him by running him over with a lorry. He also claimed there was an attempt on his life last month.
“One such incident occurred 25 days ago when a lorry came straight towards me and I had to swerve completely to escape,” he said.
SLAMS DMK'S ANITHA RADHAKRISHNAN
Saravanan also hit out at DMK leader Anitha Radhakrishnan, who had earlier alleged that he was arrested to pressure him into quitting the Assembly and joining TVK.
Reacting to the allegations, Radhakrishnan had told reporters after his arrest on July 4, “It was not horse-trading, but camel-trading that was offered to me; it will never happen.”
Responding to the statement, Saravanan said, “You are making allegations while I have evidence.”
Radhakrishnan had been arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a public event, where he reportedly mocked Vijay’s appearance and his transition from cinema to politics.
The Srivaikuntam MLA further alleged that he was being targeted because he comes from a modest background in a region where politics is dominated by the wealthy elite. Srivaikuntam falls in Thoothukudi district in southern Tamil Nadu.
TVK MLA N ELAIYARAJA'S POACHING CHARGES
Saravanan’s allegations come days after TVK MLA N Elaiyaraja also claimed that he was offered Rs 30–35 crore to switch allegiance. He alleged that an intermediary told him that 10 TVK MLAs and one minister had already agreed to join the DMK.
Speaking exclusively to India Today, Elaiyaraja said the accused, Thirunavukkarasu, had claimed that several legislators were already on board and repeatedly attempted to persuade him to join the alleged plan.
“He said he had already convinced 10 TVK MLAs and one minister. He even claimed a sitting minister was on board and offered me 30–35 crore in cash,” Elaiyaraja said.
The MLA said he rejected the offer outright and reaffirmed his loyalty to CM Vijay.
POACHING ALLEGATIONS HIT TAMIL NADU POLITICS
The development came hours after Tamil Nadu Police arrested Thirunavukkarasu, Naresh and Thiyagarajan in connection with an alleged attempt to induce TVK legislators. Police also named former DMK minister Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok Kumar in the FIR, alleging links to the conspiracy. The DMK has denied the allegations.
The controversy has since escalated into a full-blown political slugfest, with TVK accusing the DMK of attempting to destabilise the Vijay-led government through horse-trading, while the DMK has demanded an FIR against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister over allegations that he attempted to induce two DMK MLAs to resign.
Poaching of MLAs has been a rarity in Tamil Nadu politics. But the latest allegations suggest a shift, coming months after Vijay formed a coalition government after falling short of a majority by 10 seats, pointing to a more volatile phase in the state’s political landscape.
