TN Assembly Erupts Over Vijay’s Corruption Allegations, DMK MLAs Evicted

The Tamil Nadu Assembly witnessed a major uproar on September 8 after the DMK demanded that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s remarks on alleged corruption during earlier DMK governments be removed from the House records.

The controversy followed Vijay’s statement on September 7, in which he cited Enforcement Directorate (ED) documents and the Sarkaria Commission while making allegations against the earlier DMK regime and its leaders.

DMK Whip E V Velu raised the issue soon after the House proceedings began and demanded that references to ED allegations and corruption cases be expunged. He argued that referring to matters under investigation was against the rules and traditions of the Assembly. Velu also objected to Vijay’s references to the Sarkaria Commission, maintaining that its findings did not establish offences in the manner suggested by the Chief Minister.

The Sarkaria Commission, appointed in the 1970s to examine allegations against the then DMK government led by M Karunanidhi, had investigated several charges involving alleged misuse of official position and irregularities in government contracts. Vijay invoked the commission’s findings to argue that corruption allegations against the DMK had a historical basis.

Vijay also referred to recent ED material, alleging irregularities and the collection of funds in connection with government contracts and other matters. The allegations cited in the Assembly remain claims based on investigative material and should not be treated as judicial findings of guilt.

The DMK sought to have the remarks removed from the official record. However, Speaker JCD Prabhakar rejected the demand, saying Vijay had referred to information already available in the public domain.

Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar defended the Chief Minister, saying his remarks were based on official ED documents and the Sarkaria Commission report.

As the DMK members continued raising slogans and gathered near the Speaker’s podium, Leader of the House KA Sengottaiyan sought action under Assembly rules. The Speaker eventually ordered marshals to evict the protesting DMK MLAs.

The legislators continued raising slogans while being escorted out, bringing the Assembly proceedings to a dramatic halt.