Chennai: Chief Minister Vijay on Monday told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that an Enforcement Directorate (ED) document mentions alleged collections made during the DMK’s tenure in the name of “party fund”. He said the document refers to 7.5% to 10% of contract value being demanded and collected.
Responding to demands for proof, Vijay said the evidence was “right next to them” and pointed to the ED’s published report and related documents. He added that the government was not intervening in the court proceedings connected to the matter and was not offering any comment on those legal processes.
According to Vijay’s remarks, the ED document states that contractors in departments such as Public Works, Municipal Administration and Water Supply were allegedly made to pay a fixed percentage of contract amounts as “party fund”. He claimed the document describes the collections as being for the benefit of the ruling party and the party running the state government, and alleges that the direct beneficiaries included then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, among others.
Vijay further said the ED document alleges that government officials collected bribes under the label of party fund, and that the agency has cited details across more than one department. He also referred to the ED’s allegation that former minister Senthil Balaji misused his position, and said the report mentions the involvement of the TASMAC minister and certain officials, including IAS officers, along with some private individuals.
He highlighted the ED’s reference to a person named Ratheesh, described in the document as a “central figure” and an unauthorised power broker, and questioned who he was and how he allegedly influenced transfers of officials, including those at DRO level, after the DMK came to power.
