Chennai: TVK’s political opponents and anti-corruption activists criticised the induction of former AIADMK ministers C Vijayabaskar and M R Vijayabhaskar, both facing corruption cases in TVK.“I’ve heard that the ‘washing machine’ BJP allegedly used in North India has now made its way to Tamil Nadu. They say this new Tamil Nadu model can even wash away gutka stains. Is that true,” asked DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi in a post on X.AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran took a swipe at chief minister C Joseph Vijay, calling him the “prime accused in horse-trading of MLAs” and said he will pursue legal action at an appropriate time. Describing the induction of former AIADMK ministers into TVK as “unfortunate”, Dhinakaran said they had joined the “wrong camp” in pursuit of power and expressed confidence they would return. He also alleged that the inductions reflected Vijay’s lack of confidence in his allies, claiming the CM was trying to bolster TVK’s strength in the assembly by engineering defections from rival parties.Anti-corruption movement Arappor Iyakkam criticised the move, listing the cases pending against the former ministers. “So, Mr Vijay, is this what you meant when you said you wouldn’t spare anyone involved in corruption,” the NGO asked in a post on X, referring to Vijay’s statement that he would not spare anyone who swindled public money. “The induction of former AIADMK ministers exposes a clear gap between TVK’s words and its actions,” Jayaram of Arappor said.State electricity minister R Nirmal Kumar however said the govt would not interfere with the ongoing investigation against the former ministers. But political commentators say such assurances appear meaningless.“TVK appears willing to overlook the cases against them in favour of their electoral and organisational strength. They have lost the moral rights to speak about corruption and clean governance. They are no more a ‘Thooyasakthi’,” said political analyst Priyan Srinivasan.
