Lookout Notice Issued for V Senthil Balaji Amid Alleged Bid to Topple TVK Government

Chennai Police have intensified their probe into an alleged horse-trading and political destabilisation attempt against the newly formed TVK government, issuing a lookout notice for former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother R V Ashok Kumar .

The case originates from a complaint filed by TVK MLA N Ilaiyaraja , who alleged he was offered a ₹35 crore bribe by individuals posing as representatives of an opinion polling firm to vote against the Speaker during a proposed no-confidence motion. He also claimed he was threatened after rejecting the offer.

Police have arrested eight persons , including alleged intermediaries, and claim initial interrogations suggest links to the accused brothers. Summons were issued at their Karur residence for questioning on July 6, but both remain untraceable, prompting the lookout notice .

Investigators further allege a wider conspiracy involving nearly ₹180 crore to lure ruling party MLAs and destabilise the government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) . Special teams are conducting searches across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Ashok Kumar has moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail , claiming false implication. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated, while also making counter-allegations. The investigation is ongoing.