Chennai police arrested five additional people on Tuesday in connection with a bribery investigation involving a member of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party [1].
The arrests signal an intensifying crackdown on political corruption in Tamil Nadu. The case centers on allegations that a major political party attempted to buy the loyalty of an elected official to shift the legislative balance.
Those taken into custody include Selvan, E.M. Srinivasan, Rajesh, Karthik, and one unnamed individual [1]. These latest arrests bring the total number of people detained in the investigation to eight [1].
The probe follows a formal complaint filed by TVK MLA Dr. N. Ilayaraja. The lawmaker said that a pollster named Thirunavukkarasu approached him on behalf of a political party with an offer of Rs 35 crore [1], [2].
Police officials said the operation is part of a broader effort to uncover the network used to facilitate the attempted bribe. Investigators are currently tracing the origins of the funds and the specific instructions provided by the political party involved [2].
The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine if other lawmakers were targeted in a similar scheme. The suspects are being questioned to establish the full timeline of the approach made to Dr. Ilayaraja [1].
“The arrests bring the total to eight suspects in an investigation involving TVK MLA Dr. N. Ilayaraja.”
This investigation highlights the volatility of political alignments in Tamil Nadu, where the alleged use of significant financial incentives to induce party-switching or loyalty shifts can destabilize legislative coalitions. The involvement of a pollster as an intermediary suggests a strategic, data-driven approach to political poaching that goes beyond traditional grassroots lobbying.
