Vellore TVK functionary removed from party post over bribery charges by brick kiln operators

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) removed T.R. Vijayakumar from the primary membership of the party for allegedly demanding money from brick kiln operators to run their units in Vellore.

Mr. Vijayakumar was also removed from his party post of secretary of Kaniyambadi Panchayat Union East in Vellore. The action comes after hundreds of residents, mostly brick kiln workers and their families at Puthur village in Vellore district, blocked the Cuddalore-Chittoor Highway near a bus terminus in Kaniyambadi town on Monday (May 25) in protest against Mr. Vijayakumar, who allegedly demanded a bribe to run the units.

In a statement, G. Vijay Mohan, TVK district secretary, Ranipet West, said the incident has brought disrepute to the party. Accordingly, Mr. Vijayakumar has been removed from his party post and relieved of all other responsibilities, including the primary membership of the party. The statement also said that the party has advised its cadre and functionaries not to associate with Mr. Vijayakumar on party-related activities. 

Road blockade

The road blockade by residents was organised after Mr. Vijayakumar visited four brick kilns in Puthur village on May 22. The police said that the group led by Mr. Vijayakumar reportedly demanded that each brick kiln operator pay a bribe of ₹1 lakh every month to run their units smoothly without any political interference.

TVK functionaries, led by Mr. Vijayakumar, however, told revenue officials that a few brick kiln owners in the area had been illegally mining silt from waterbodies in the night to run their units. Following a peace committee meeting led by R. Senthil Kumar, Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Vellore, the party workers were told to report any such illegal activity to the police or revenue officials and not to threaten the operators.