We were offered crores of rupees, ministerial posts but we stood by principles, says IUML Vaniyambadi MLA

Vaniyambadi IUML MLA SSP Syed Farooq Basha at the district general body meeting of the party in Tiruvannamalai on Sunday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Legislature leader and Vaniyambadi MLA SSP Syed Farooq Basha on Sunday claimed that after the recently held assembly elections, elected IUML representatives were “offered millions of rupees and cabinet berths (of their choice)” by key political party leaders, but the party “stood strongly by its principles”.

Addressing cadre and party functionaries at the district general body meeting in Tiruvannamalai, he said that “known key leaders of political parties” came to him and AM Shahjahan, IUML MLA for Papanasam constituency, and “offered crores of rupees to support the party”.

Mr. Basha said they were also given the opportunity to choose the cabinet. “They thought that IUML could not resist such an offer, but we were not tempted. We stood by our principles. In such a scenario, we were invited and given TVK cabinet berths,” he added.

He said they should be united in working with the ruling TVK in the upcoming local body elections for the growth of the party in the state. “Since the ruling TVK has given ministers to IUML after the assembly elections, TVK will offer similar key posts to IUML party functionaries in rural and urban local bodies after the elections to these civic bodies in the state,” added Mr. Basha.

Published – 06 Sep 2026 23:03 IST