Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu CM Accuses DMK Leaders of Contract Kickbacks
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay accused leaders of the DMK of taking illegal payments from government contractors.
He said the payments were collected as party donations.
Vijay referred to documents from the Enforcement Directorate and older allegations involving the Sarkaria Commission and the Veeranam project.
He said contractors working for the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department allegedly paid 7.5% to 10% of project values.
DMK members loudly protested during his speech.
The Speaker said they could not reply at that point because of disruptions and posters displayed in the Assembly.
The members then left the Assembly and Udhayanidhi Stalin spoke to reporters outside.
Vijay also said his own party, the TVK, was not merely an actor’s party and had received 35% of the vote.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay accused M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin of receiving kickbacks disguised as party funds.
Vijay cited Enforcement Directorate documents alleging contractors paid commissions of 7.5% to 10% on projects.
DMK legislators protested after the Speaker refused to let them respond during the Chief Minister’s reply.
The Speaker warned the protesting members about disciplinary action before they walked out of the Assembly.
Vijay also defended the TVK, saying it had won 35% of the vote and would remain politically relevant.
- Who
- Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, former Chief Minister M K Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK legislators, and Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar.
- What
- Vijay accused DMK leaders of benefiting from alleged contractor commissions collected as party funds, prompting protests and a walkout by DMK legislators.
- When
- Monday; the allegations referenced conduct during 2021–2025 and earlier cases linked to the 1976 Sarkaria Commission.
- Where
- The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in Chennai, with Udhayanidhi Stalin speaking to reporters outside afterward.
- Why
- Vijay said he was addressing alleged corruption and public responsibility while replying to demands for grants for the police and fire and rescue services departments.
Chief Minister Vijay’s Allegations
DMK’s Protest and Objections
Contract payments
Chief Minister Vijay’s Allegations
Vijay alleged that contractors paid commissions of 7.5% to 10% as party funds and identified M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin as beneficiaries.
DMK’s Protest and Objections
DMK legislators protested the charges and demanded an opportunity to respond in the Assembly; the article does not provide a detailed substantive rebuttal from them.
Assembly proceedings
Chief Minister Vijay’s Allegations
The Speaker said continued disruption, unruly conduct, and the display of offending posters justified refusing the DMK permission to reply during the Chief Minister’s response.
DMK’s Protest and Objections
DMK members objected to being denied a reply, crowded the well of the House, surrounded the Speaker’s podium, and later walked out.
TVK’s political role
Chief Minister Vijay’s Allegations
Vijay rejected the description of the TVK as an actor’s party, cited its 35% vote share, and said it would remain politically relevant.
DMK’s Protest and Objections
Critics described the TVK as an actor’s party, according to Vijay’s account of the criticism.
- Accused leaders
- M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin were named by Vijay as alleged beneficiaries.
- Alleged commission
- The cited allegations involved payments of 7.5% to 10% of total contract values.
- Payment description
- Vijay said the money was collected from contractors in instalments under the name of party funds.
- Department involved
- The allegations concerned contractors working under the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.
- Documents cited
- Vijay said he was reading from Enforcement Directorate documents.
- Assembly response
- DMK legislators protested, were denied an immediate reply, and walked out of the Assembly.
- TVK vote claim
- Vijay said the TVK had polled 35% of the vote.