Aadhav Arjuna says inquiry will be conducted into IUML MLA’s claim of being offered money, accuses DMK

Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna said on Monday that an inquiry would soon be launched into what he termed as alleged horse-trading by the DMK by “illegally imprisoning Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLAs in a hotel” before the formation of the TVK government.

The minister made the remarks in the backdrop of the recent controversy sparked by IUML MLA Syed Farooq Basha, who held a party meeting in Tiruvannamalai on Saturday, alleged that after the Assembly elections, some people approached him and other IUML MLAs and offered them millions of rupees to join their party.

In the Assembly on Monday, Mr Basha alleged that his comments were being distorted by the opposition DMK.

Minority Welfare Minister AM Shahjahan (IUML) said, “After this government came to power, there was a lot of expectation among the people that it would function without bribery and corruption and it is functioning well on that principle. If despite this, allegations were made that money was taken or that horse-trading was going on, it would create a situation where it would be impossible to continue politics for generations.”

He said that since some statements by IUML members “are being selectively quoted, I have a duty to offer some clarifications. After the election results were announced on May 4, the IUML, which had contested and won as part of the (DMK-led) Secular Progressive Alliance, announced that it would support them and take a decision accordingly. However, on May 9, we extended our support to one specific reason, that of preventing the TVK. proxy of the Union government from being imposed.”

According to him, the allegation Mr. Basha was talking about was about those who contacted the IUML on May 7 and tried to insist on who should be appointed as the Chief Minister. On May 7, an attempt was made by the opposition to prevent the formation of a government headed by Chief Minister Vijay. The DMK leadership took such a decision and forwarded it to the IUML. On May 8, it took another decision and presented another proposal. “Since the IUML has refused to accept it, I do not want to divulge certain details openly because the party is a party protected and nurtured by the respected Quaid-e-Millat,” he stated.

“But there may be a situation where we will have to reveal everything – who took the two IUML MLAs (including himself) to Hotel Accord on May 8 after 10 pm and kept them there, who threatened them and who kept them under surveillance. There have been several incidents in this regard,” Mr. Sahajahan claimed.

After the statement of the two IUML MLAs, Mr. Arjuna said, “Who kept the two IUML MLAs in Hotel Accord? Who is the owner of Hotel Accord? It is owned by DMK MP Jagathrakshakan. Here we record that an inquiry will be conducted soon as to who kept them there at that time. Who is behind this?. We record that it was DMK.”

Published – 07 Sep 2026 20:05 IST