Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday said he possessed files on alleged corruption in three govt departments and warned former DMK ministers and legislators not to force him to ‘open’ those files now. Vijay said he would make the findings public at an “appropriate time.”The exchange of words broke out in the assembly when DMK legislators protested remarks made by water resources department minister N Anand, who alleged widespread corruption in the housing scheme executed by the previous govt, including the allotment of houses to ineligible beneficiaries. Anand made these allegations while intervening during a speech by former minister I Periyasamy regarding the DMK’s flagship ‘Kalaignar Kanavu Illam Thittam’.Joining the debate, school education minister A Rajmohan said DMK MLAs go silent whenever evidence of corruption comes up. Rajmohan said he could not imagine the response from DMK leaders if the chief minister were to release the full reports of corruption. The opposition members strongly objected to the remarks and demanded immediate proof to back the allegations.Intervening in the debate, Vijay stepped in to directly address the opposition. “You are demanding proof. A week ago, Finance minister N Marie Wilson informed the assembly that detailed review reports on three departments were submitted to me. Those reports with detailed evidence are on my table. Do not force me to open them; I will disclose them at the right time,” he warned. Vijay added that he knew “when to talk and how to talk.”“It was because we spoke with love and affection, that people voted us into the assembly,” he said and continued that he remained silent as it was only to help someone in the upcoming bypolls.
