TN: AIADMK Jittery as Allegations of Corruption and Maladministration Mount

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party continues to remain jittery, even after elections in the state. With allegations of corruption mounting on former ministers, including former CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) who was in-charge of the the public works department, the party has been forced onto the backfoot.

After the raid on two former ministers from the EPS cabinet, an anti-corruption organisation has levelled charges against another former minister and sought an enquiry from the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC).

The party is now facing another embarassment after CM M.K. Stalin announced a fresh enquiry in the Kodanad estate murder case from 2017 in the assembly. The estate was co-owned by former CM J.Jayalalithaa. AIADMK MLAs walked out of the assembly after the announcement and the AIADMK leadership even met the governor seeking his intervention.

AIADMK WALKS OUT OF ASSEMBLY ON KODANAD MURDER CASE

It seemed the AIADMK was not expecting the reopening of the Kodanad heist and murder case. The party was rattled and cried foul following the CM's announcement on August 18. AIADMK MLAs staged a walkout and held a protest outside the assembly. The party also boycotted the assembly proceedings for the next two days. 

The Leader of Opposition, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, claimed that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government was reopening the case for political reasons, while the CM argued that the government was proceeding with the permission of the court.

The AIADMK leadership, led by EPS and O. Panneer Selvam (OPS), met the governor, Banwarilal Purohit and sought his intervention in the case.   On August 23, the leader of the Congress legislature party submitted a motion to discuss the case, creating further discomfort to the AIADMK. In a press release, former law minister D.Jayakumar, said: “There are a lot of urgent issues to discuss in the assembly. The Kodanad case cannot be discussed since it is sub-judice”.

Prof K. Arunan, writer and political commentator, said, “The AIADMK, particularly EPS, is very anxious about a fresh enquiry into the theft attempt and other murder cases relating to the Kodanad estate. If they have nothing to hide, why are they trying to run away from an enquiry?” 

‘HOLD ENQUIRY ON SUBSTANDARD CONSTRUCTION QUALITY’

A lot of irregularities and corruption allegations have surfaced concerning projects completed during the AIADMK’s tenure. The recent case of substandard construction of buildings by the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) has created a storm across the state. Its residents, shifted from the temporary huts to the new building in K.P. Park in Chennai, complained of poor quality construction leading to leakages, the plaster falling off and damaged staircases. 

The ministers, peoples representatives and leaders of political parties visited the site and raised concerns over the safety of the residents and demanded an enquiry into the matter. The TNSCB board has now suspended two officials in connection with the poor construction quality of the buildings.

The state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), K. Balalakrishnan said, “The government should conduct a detailed enquiry with the help of an expert group to identify lapses. People from buildings constructed in Perambalur have complained of poor quality of construction. All the buildings constructed during the AIADMK tenure must be inspected to save the lives of the residents". 

CORRUPTION ALLEGATION AGAINST FORMER MINISTER

The DVAC has raided two former ministers since the new government took charge. The former local administration minister S.P. Velumani and his associate organisations were raided on August 10 after the DVAC registered an FIR based on misuse of power, including in awarding tenders.

The Arappor Iyakkam (API) has been accusing the former minister of favouritism in awarding tenders in Greater Chennai and Coimbatore corporations. The API had persistently accused the AIADMK government of fixing tenders in favour of a few companies in different departments, including Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) and Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO).

The API has submitted allegations against another former minister, K.C. Veeramani, alleging the possession of assets disproportionate to his income. The API submitted the complaint to the director of DVAC with details submitted by the former minister in his election affidavit.

“The former minister had declared the total value of movable assets to be Rs 56,17,548 in his election manifesto for the year 2011. In the election affidavit in 2021, the total value of movable assets, excluding jewellery, had increased to Rs 43,60,87,195,” the API statement said. 

The organisation also alleged that the total registration value of the land purchased by the former minister between 2011 to 2021 was Rs 15,74,35,980. The API has sought action under the Prevention of Corruption act, the IPC and other relevant laws.