Tamil Nadu police arrested three individuals following allegations that the DMK offered bribes to poach ruling-party legislators [2].
The arrests follow claims of a conspiracy to destabilize the newly formed state government through horse-trading. If proven, the scheme suggests an organized effort to manipulate legislative votes to trigger a government collapse.
The TVK party said that the DMK and its leader, Senthil Balaji, were involved in a plot to induce MLA N. Ilayaraja to defect [1]. According to the TVK, the offer consisted of Rs 35 crore per legislator [1].
The alleged purpose of the payment was to secure a vote against the Speaker during a no-confidence motion [1]. Such a move would have potentially shifted the balance of power within the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Police officials said three people were arrested in connection with the case [2]. The investigation is currently focusing on the financial trail and the roles of the intermediaries involved in the suspected poaching attempt.
The DMK has not issued a formal response to the specific bribery amount cited by the TVK. The case remains under investigation by state authorities in Chennai.
“Tamil Nadu police arrested three individuals following allegations that the DMK offered bribes to poach ruling-party legislators.”
This development highlights the volatility of the current political coalition in Tamil Nadu. The use of high-value financial inducements to sway a no-confidence motion indicates a high-stakes struggle for legislative control, where the stability of the state government depends on the loyalty of individual MLAs.
