Trust vote in TN: DMK seeks hearing of plea on reported ‘pay-offs’ to AIADMK MLAs

During a special mention in the Madras High Court, the DMK on Tuesday shared reports of alleged payments to some ruling AIADMK MLAs belonging to rival factions before the trust vote was to be taken up against the K Palaniswami government in February.

Referring to reports in a section of the media about the alleged pay-offs of crores of rupees to some ruling party legislators, the counsel for DMK sought an urgent hearing on the miscellaneous petition, which he said would be filed by Wednesday.

Senior advocate R Shanmugasundaram, appearing on behalf of the DMK working president and opposition leader in the assembly, M K Stalin, made a special mention about the reports of alleged payments before the first bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar.

While informing that they have already filed a PIL challenging the trust vote which is pending before the bench, the counsel said they would like to file the miscellaneous petition now seeking a CBI and DRI inquiry into the alleged pay-offs.

Allowing the counsel to file the petition, the bench said it would be taken up in regular course for hearing on Friday, if filed.

The development comes against the backdrop of the state assembly session commencing tomorrow.

Also read: Stalin requests President to cancel Tamil Nadu trust vote

On February 18, Palaniswami had won the trust vote 122-11 in the 234-member Assembly aided by the eviction of main opposition DMK and walkout by its allies, amid stormy scenes during which mikes were uprooted, chairs toppled and sheets of papers torn.

Stalin had filed the petition challenging the trust vote.

Also read: Tamil Nadu crisis: Upset DMK approaches court on trust vote