Chennai Police issue lookout notice for Senthil Balaji in TVK MLA poaching case
Chennai police on Saturday intensified their probe into the alleged attempts to topple the newly-formed TVK government by issuing a lookout notice against former DMK
Chennai police on Saturday intensified their probe into the alleged attempts to topple the newly-formed TVK government by issuing a lookout notice against former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother R V Ashok Kumar. The move comes as the manhunt widens in a politically sensitive case in which a TVK legislator was allegedly offered Rs 35 crore to vote against the Speaker during a proposed no-confidence motion. Police have already arrested eight people in the case, and investigators have alleged a wider plan to lure ruling party MLAs and destabilise Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's government. Read Full Story According to police sources, summonses were served at Senthil Balaji's ancestral residence in Rameswarapatti in Karur district, directing the brothers to appear for questioning on July 6.
The action follows a complaint filed on June 29 by Uthangarai TVK MLA N Ilaiyaraja. Ilaiyaraja alleged that he was contacted by a person claiming to head an opinion polling firm, who offered the multi-crore bribe on behalf of leaders from a "major political party". He also alleged that the caller threatened him and his family with serious consequences after the offer was rejected. So far, the Triplicane police have arrested eight individuals, including the alleged main solicitor Thirunavukkarasu and his associates Naresh and Thyagarajan. Police said interrogation of the arrested men showed they were acting under the direct instructions of Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar.
Investigators have further alleged that a broader conspiracy was in place, with around Rs 180 crore set aside to lure ruling party MLAs. Special police teams are conducting searches in Karur, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore and Bengaluru to trace suspects who are absconding. Earlier this week, Ashok Kumar moved the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail, saying he was being falsely implicated only on the basis of statements made by the callers, without any independent evidence linking him to the alleged plot. TVK ministers have accused the DMK leadership of being behind the poaching attempts. The opposition party has denied the charge, calling the case "evidence-less" and a political vendetta.
Senior DMK leader R S Bharathi has also submitted written complaints to Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, alleging that Chief Minister Vijay misused his office to induce two MDMK legislators to resign in return for support in re-election, and seeking a full probe into the TVK's own alleged horse-trading practices. The case now stands marked by arrests, a widening search and competing allegations from both sides. Ends
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