Shillong: A shady bribery scandal in Tamil Nadu now bears the name Meghalaya Project. Investigators say the scheme aimed to pay off 15 legislators from the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to flip their votes. The goal was simple: force them to vote against the government during a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker. They wanted the current administration to fall.
The plot surfaced after TVK MLA N. Elaiyaraja filed a complaint. He accused Arumbakkam YouTuber and IPDS opinion-poll head Thirunavukkarasu of offering him Rs 35 crore. Elaiyaraja rejected the bribe. He and his family faced criminal intimidation afterward.
Digital evidence pulled from the investigation connects Vijayan, a senior news editor at Puthiya Thalaimurai Television, to the operation. Police claim Vijayan exchanged objectionable electronic communications with Thirunavukkarasu throughout the conspiracy. Authorities questioned Vijayan for two days on July 15 and 16, seized his phone, and sent it to cyber forensic experts. He must remain available for further questioning.
The Chennai Press Club blasted the police probe. They demanded that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay step in to stop what they view as a targeted attack on the press. The group issued a statement saying, “The Chennai Press Club condemned the action as oppressive and an attack on freedom of expression.” Officials continue to track the reach of the alleged conspiracy.
Comments