Tamil Nadu trust vote under scrutiny as petition in SC alleges corruption, seeks President’s Rule

A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI investigation into alleged corruption in the trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly won by Chief Minister Vijay’s TVK on May 13.

Allegations in trust vote

According to the petitioner, KK Ramesh, a resident of Madurai, the TVK, which became the single largest party in the Assembly by winning 108 seats and forming a government, got signatures of 12 MLAs from several parties by paying them a large sum of money for their support in the trust vote. They were also allegedly promised government contract works if they supported TVK in the trust vote.

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The petitioner has also sought President’s rule in Tamil Nadu till the probe is complete. "In the Tamil Nadu Assembly, some MLAs from other parties were allegedly involved in horse-trading, and huge amounts of money were handed over to certain MLAs by TVK. Some MLAs from other parties did not join the particular government but violated the party whip direction for money and other benefits," stated the petition as quoted by Live Law.

Demand for Assembly dissolution

Alleging that his fundamental rights have been violated and that the entire events are illegal, the petitioner argued that the Assembly should be dissolved.

TVK had become the single largest party in the Assembly elections after securing 108 seats. The party later obtained unconditional support from Left parties such as CPI and CPI(M), besides VCK and a number of independent MLAs, enabling it to cross the majority threshold and stake a claim to form the government. Vijay later took the oath as Chief Minister.

Questions over support secured

The petitioner, however, raised questions over the circumstances under which the ruling party managed to secure support from legislators. The plea claimed that the trust vote proceedings had been “vitiated by corruption”. The Centre, the CBI and the Tamil Nadu government have also been made parties to the petition, India Today reported.

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The plea further contended that constitutional morality and democratic institutions had suffered serious damage because of the alleged manipulation during the floor test.