Vijay accuses DMK of corruption, warns against derogatory remarks on women

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay attacked the DMK over alleged corruption, citing the Sarkaria Commission report, Veeranam pipeline project and ED allegations. He also warned against derogatory remarks targeting women and defended his political commitment to public service

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday launched a sharp attack on the opposition DMK, accusing the party and several of its senior leaders of involvement in corruption during their tenure in government.

Replying to the debate in the Assembly on demands for grants for the Police Department, Vijay said political criticism was legitimate but warned that derogatory comments against women would not be tolerated. The law would act against anyone making obscene or defamatory remarks about women, he said, amid heated exchanges in the House.

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The Chief Minister also criticised statements allegedly made by DMK functionaries against people who had not voted for the party. Such remarks, he said, demonstrated a lack of respect for the people’s verdict and were among the reasons the party was now occupying the opposition benches.

Turning to corruption allegations, Vijay referred to documents and findings that he said were available in official records and the Assembly library. He cited the 1977 Sarkaria Commission report and alleged irregularities in the Veeranam pipeline project.

According to him, commissions had been demanded for awarding contracts, while the office of the Chief Minister was allegedly misused to favour a particular company. Vijay also referred to Enforcement Directorate allegations concerning the collection of money in the name of party funds. He claimed that between 7.5 and 10 per cent had been collected as commission in certain transactions. Former minister V Senthil Balaji had allegedly misused his official position, he said.

The Chief Minister further claimed that officials and people linked to the former minister were involved in the alleged transactions. He also named DMK President M.K. Stalin and party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin while referring to the agency’s allegations. However, the accusations cited by Vijay remain allegations and have not been established as findings of guilt by a court.

Vijay said the records were extensive and would take nearly two days to read in full, prompting him to present only a summary before the House. He challenged the DMK to respond to the charges instead of demanding evidence that, according to him, was already available in public records.

Wrapping up, Vijay said he had entered politics neither for office nor power but to serve the people. Invoking the legacies of CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran and NT Rama Rao, he asserted that public affection would ultimately prevail over political opposition.