Vijay's TVK formed govt through defections. It now cries foul over poaching bid

Ever since Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay formed the government by inducting smaller parties that were earlier part of the DMK-led alliance, allegations of horse-trading and poaching have followed the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). However, the tables seem to have turned. The TVK has now cried foul, alleging a bid to topple the government by buying its MLAs.

Tamil Nadu is the latest state to be engulfed in the defection saga in the season of desertions after Bengal and Maharashtra. On Wednesday, TVK MLA N Elaiyaraja stirred a hornet's nest after he alleged that offers up to Rs 50 crore were made to around 11 legislators, including a minister, to jump ship to the DMK. Elaiyaraja claimed he himself was offered Rs 35 crore to back a proposed no-trust motion against the Speaker.

VIJAY'S TVK CLAIMS POACHING BID

At the centre of the poaching claims is a lesser-known political analytical firm called Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS). The TVK has alleged that calls went to its MLAs from a person claiming to be working for IPDS. Elaiyaraja claimed he and his family were even threatened after he rejected the offer.

Following a complaint, three people were arrested. Interestingly, the FIR also names former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother V Ashok Kumar as being allegedly linked to the conspiracy. Last year, Balaji was arrested by the ED after his name cropped up in an alleged cash-for-jobs case. He is presently out on bail. The DMK has, however, rejected the allegations.

The police have said that one of the accused, Naresh, was in direct touch with Senthil Balaji's brother.

The startling development has sparked a slugfest between the DMK and the TVK, which pulled off a massive surprise in May after emerging as the single largest party.

STALIN'S 3-MONTH SURVIVAL REMARK

Amid the raging controversy, Vijay's party has pointed to a previous remark by DMK supremo MK Stalin. Last month, while speaking at an event in Chennai, Stalin suggested that the Vijay-led government might not even survive beyond three months.

"When it (TVK) assumed office, I had said I would not criticise it for six months. However, the criticism against it is mounting... The question now is whether this government will last even three months," Stalin had said.

At the same event, the former Chief Minister made it a point to underline that the TVK remained in power only due to the grace of the DMK and its allies.

As Stalin's remarks invited backlash from the TVK, the DMK clarified that it was borne out of any intent to topple the government.

Stalin made similar remarks as recently as June 29, urging DMK workers to prepare for elections as it "could be announced at any time".

Against this backdrop, TVK minister Nirmal Kumar has alleged direct involvement of Stalin and his son, Udhayanidhi, behind the poaching bid.

"Senthil Balaji, with the permission of Stalin and Udhayanidhi, has tried contacting several of our MLAs with offers ranging from Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore over the last 40 days," Kumar said.

"That is why Stalin keeps repeatedly saying this government will not last long," Kumar further said.

THE NUMBERS GAME

At the heart of the matter lies the TVK alliance's slim majority in the 234-member Assembly. The April polls threw up a hung assembly, with the TVK emerging as the largest party with 108 seats. Vijay, who won from two seats, later vacated the Trichy East seat, taking TVK's present tally to 107.

In the subsequent weeks, the TVK managed to slowly wean away alliance partners of the DMK, with the biggest being the Congress. It formed the government and passed the floor test after the VCK and IUML joined the coalition. The Left provided outside support.

Factionalism within the AIADMK also played a key part in Vijay passing the floor test comfortably.

However, the TVK didn't stop seeking the support of other parties and MLAs. Vijay very well knows the significance of a standalone majority, where it would no longer need the crutches of former DMK allies.

In recent weeks, six AIADMK MLAs have resigned and joined the TVK, bringing the party's tally to 41 from 47. It included former minister and senior MLA MR Vijayabhaskar. Speculation is also rife that AIADMK deputy general secretary SP Velumani may also quit as MLA.

Taken together with the Trichy East seat, which Vijay vacated, there are a total of seven vacancies in the Assembly. It has brought the current strength down to 227. The majority mark is now 114.

If, and it's a big if, Vijay's TVK manages to win all seven seats in the bypolls, its tally will go up to 114 in the Assembly. Still, it would be four short of the majority mark.

MDMK QUITS DMK ALLIANCE

Here is where the MDMK's shock exit from the DMK-led alliance, after nine years of ties, comes into play. Last month, the Vaiko-led MDMK extended support to Vijay's TVK. Vaiko alleged the previous DMK regime was riddled with corruption and commissions.

Interestingly, the two MDMK MLAs have refused to resign. The MLAs won the elections on the DMK's rising sun symbol.

A rattled DMK has launched a counterattack. In separate complaints filed with Governor Rajendra Arlekar and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), the party has alleged that CM Vijay tried to induce the two MDMK MLAs to resign.

The complaint alleged that Vaiko himself, during his party's general council meeting, claimed Vijay requested him to persuade MLAs TM Rajendran and Senthil Selvan to resign from the Assembly. In return, Vijay would personally campaign for the duo if they contested the bypolls.

The two MLAs contested the 2026 elections on the DMK symbol as per an understanding with the MDMK. Thus, they remain under the party's whip, the DMK said in its complaint.

The spate of developments and the battle over defections shows just how fragile the political arithmetic in Tamil Nadu is. Only a handful of MLAs can alter the fate of the TVK government. Vijay is alive to that reality.

However, the irony is hard to miss. Vijay's TVK, which formed the government by inducting several opposition MLAs, now finds itself making the very allegation its opponents had levelled against it a few weeks ago.

The horse-trading saga seems to have come full circle in Tamil Nadu. It remains to be seen who will have the last laugh amid the 'poaching war'.

- Ends