Tamil Nadu Political Horse‑Trading Scandal Triggers Governor’s Public Appeal and Arrests

Police in Chennai have intensified a probe into alleged horse‑trading aimed at destabilising the newly formed TVK government in Tamil Nadu. A lookout notice was issued against former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji and his brother R V Ashok Kumar, who have been summoned for questioning. The investigation uncovered a purported Rs 35‑crore bribe offered to TVK MLA N Ilaiyaraja to vote against the Assembly Speaker, leading to the arrest of nine individuals, including a driver linked to the accused organiser.

The scandal has prompted Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to publicly invite citizens to lodge grievances at Lok Bhavan, positioning himself as a bridge between the public and the state government amid rising tensions with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s administration. Opposition leader VCK President Thol Thirumavalavan called for a gubernatorial inquiry if the horse‑trading allegations are proven, while the governor’s remarks followed a contentious review meeting with state officials in Madurai that the ruling party condemned as overstepping constitutional authority.