Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law R. Nirmalkumar on Wednesday accused DMK president M.K. Stalin and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin of assigning former minister V. Senthilbalaji the task of persuading TVK MLAs with offers of up to 50 crore rupees to destabilize the government. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat in Chennai, Mr. Nirmalkumar stated that several TVK legislators were contacted by associates of Mr. Senthilbalaji and his brother V. Ashokumar. The offers reportedly included support for a no-confidence motion against the Speaker in the upcoming session. He added that one MLA filed a complaint, leading to three arrests, with further probes ongoing. Mr. Nirmalkumar claimed the DMK leaders have repeatedly predicted the government’s early end and accused them of attempting to buy legislators after alleged past financial misconduct. He questioned whether Mr. Stalin felt shame over such tactics and noted that TVK members had won seats with modest spending compared to larger outlays by rivals. He also said individuals leaving other parties see limited prospects there. On pending corruption cases involving former ministers set to join TVK, he stated that legal processes would proceed independently.
