Vijay alleges organised network behind TASMAC extortion, tender manipulation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay targeted the previous DMK regime over alleged corruption in TASMAC, citing ED findings on an alleged organised network involved in extortion and tender manipulation. He also highlighted alleged political interference in official transfers and postings

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday targeted the previous DMK regime over alleged corruption in the state-run liquor retailer TASMAC, detailing findings from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

In the state Assembly, reading from ED documents, he outlined how an “organised crime syndicate”, colloquially dubbed the “Karur Gang”, allegedly weaponised the state apparatus for illegal extortion, tender manipulation and illicit transfers between 2021 and 2025.

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He detailed how official channels were allegedly bypassed under the portfolio held by former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji, who hails from Karur district, allowing private players and political intermediaries to wield state authority.

He claimed that an organised network operated across the Karur and Coimbatore regions to “systematically collect excess cash from liquor consumers and extorted local bar owners”, highlighting the agency’s findings naming an unauthorised “power broker” who allegedly dictated official transfers and administrative postings in exchange for financial considerations.

Vijay explicitly referred to V Ashok Kumar, brother of Senthil Balaji, and accused him of orchestrating fraud, bid manipulation and illicit money transfers tied to state transport and procurement contracts.

Referring to historical political power shifts under the leadership of C N Annadurai, M G Ramachandran and N T Rama Rao in the 1967, 1977 and 1983 elections in Tamil Nadu and the then-unified Andhra Pradesh, respectively, Vijay said that, viewed along those lines, the 2026 Assembly polls saw the TVK emerge victorious and form the government, achieving a unique milestone in the state’s political history.

He also referenced the dates in his fiery speech in the Assembly to contextualise his own victory in leading the two-year-old Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to an impressive electoral victory.

“God, nature, and the people will always be on our side,” he declared, asserting that the political schemes of the opposition would ultimately fail in the face of public scrutiny and thorough anti-corruption probes.

Vijay was wrapping up the Assembly debate on the demands for grants for the Police (Home) department, which he holds.