Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay launched a strong attack on the previous DMK regime in the Assembly on Monday, alleging that contractors were forced to pay bribes in the name of “party funds”. He compared the alleged payments to loan EMIs, claiming that contractors paid the money in instalments. Vijay said the allegations were supported by a document from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Vijay made the remarks while responding to repeated demands from the Opposition for evidence to back his corruption allegations. He said the ED document itself contained the evidence being sought. He then read out what he described as key findings from the document.

"Let me give you a sample. The ED has sent a document. Let me give you a few highlights," Vijay said.

Vijay also referred to the Sarkaria Commission, which examined corruption allegations against the DMK government in the 1970s. He cited its findings on tenders linked to the Veeranam water scheme. According to Vijay, the commission report mentioned a demand for 2.5 per cent as party fund in a Rs 16 crore tender project.

"One chapter says 2.5 per cent as party fund was demanded by Maran. The tender was for Rs 16 crore," Vijay said, referring to the commission report.

He said the issue had also been raised in 2001 by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and former minister C Ponnaiyan. Vijay said further examination of the matter revealed more details.

"When we dug a bit, a lot came out," Vijay said, referring to the findings he attributed to the report.

Vijay then mentioned a person named Purushotham. He said Purushotham had stated that Rs 29 lakh was taken as a bribe. Vijay highlighted the manner in which the alleged payment was collected. He claimed the money was not taken as a single payment but in instalments.

"The bribe was taken in instalments, like EMI for a loan," Vijay said.

Vijay then turned to the ED document and alleged that similar collections took place during the DMK's previous tenure in power. He claimed contractors working on projects under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department were asked to pay money in the name of party funds.

"They want party fund evidence. This is by the ED," Vijay said.

According to Vijay, the ED document mentions alleged payments ranging from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent of contract values. He claimed the money was collected from contractors working with the Municipal Department.

"The ED document says 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent as party funds. The bribes were collected from the Municipal Department," he alleged.

Vijay further alleged that the collections were made for the benefit of the political party in power at the time. He questioned which party was in government when the alleged payments were made.

"The money was collected in the form of party fund for the benefit of the party in power," Vijay said.

"Which party was in power? DMK," Vijay said.

Vijay also alleged that the ED document named Chief Minister MK Stalin and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, among the alleged beneficiaries. He also mentioned Ravi Prasad and unidentified persons while reading out the names from the document.

"The direct beneficiary of the party fund is Mr MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, his son Mr Udhayanidhi Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister, Ravi Prasad and unknown persons," he said.

The Chief Minister also referred to the ED's alleged findings involving former minister V Senthil Balaji. Vijay claimed that the document accused Balaji of misusing his official position with dishonest intent.

"The ED says that Senthil Balaji abused his official position with dishonest intention, entered with dishonest intention," Vijay said.

"What a great achievement? This is DMK," he added.

Vijay further alleged that some IAS officers were involved along with ministers in the alleged wrongdoing. He also referred to a person named Rathish, whom he described as a key figure allegedly operating without official authority.

"Who is this Rathish? He is hiding in Dubai after our government came to power," Vijay alleged.

Vijay maintained that his claims in the Assembly were based on documents attributed to the ED. He said he was not attempting to interfere in ongoing legal proceedings. He also used the document to respond to the Opposition's repeated demand for evidence to support his allegations regarding the alleged collection of party funds.

"We are not involved in court matters," he said, while maintaining that the ED document itself provided the evidence being sought.