TVK MLA Poaching Case: Two More Held Over Weekend, Total Accused Rises to 14

The investigation into an alleged conspiracy to poach ruling TVK MLAs gathered fresh momentum over the weekend, with Chennai police arresting two more persons — taking the total number of people held in the case to 14 — and seizing Rs 2.80 crore in cash.

The case originated from a complaint by TVK MLA N. Elaiyaraja of Uthangarai, who alleged he was offered between Rs 30 crore and Rs 35 crore by a person identifying himself as Thirunavukkarasu of a political consultancy called Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS) to support a proposed no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker. Elaiyaraja said he was also told that around 10 to 11 ruling party MLAs, including a sitting minister, had been offered sums ranging from Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore, and that he and his family were threatened after he refused.

Chennai police initially arrested three men in the case and named senior DMK leader V. Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok Kumar in the FIR over their alleged role in the plot. Both denied any wrongdoing and were granted conditional anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court on July 8, on condition that they report to their local police station every morning and evening while the probe continues.

Police arrested two additional accused, identified as Karunanidhi, 52, of Korattur, and Saravanan, 49, of Saligramam, over the weekend, seizing Rs 2.80 crore in cash from them. Investigators said they were examining the source of the money and whether it was meant to be used to induce MLAs to switch sides.

The DMK has denied the allegations and accused the TVK of trying to lure away opposition legislators instead. With the TVK government holding a slim majority in the Assembly, the case has sharpened the ongoing political battle between the ruling party and the DMK over allegations of horse-trading.