Published Jul 01, 2026 | 2:20 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 01, 2026 | 3:05 PM
Dr N Elaiyaraja, the TVK MLA who raised the poaching allegation.
Synopsis: Was there an attempt to poach more than 10 TVK MLAs? A complaint filed by a ruling party legislator says so. A case has been registered and an investigation is on.
TN police have arrested three persons after accusations of an attempt to poach several Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLAs surfaced, triggering a fresh political controversy in Tamil Nadu.
The ongoing investigation has also revealed the alleged involvement of the brother of former minister Senthil Balaji, according to the statement released by the Tamil Nadu Police on Wednesday.
Available information suggests that phone conversations involving the accused are also being examined to determine which of the MLAs were contacted and how many legislators were allegedly approached as part of the operation.
Reports indicate that around 10 to 12 TVK MLAs were contacted, with middlemen also allegedly employed in the operation. It is alleged that each MLA was offered Rs 15 crore or more.
While information suggests that at least five MLAs were approached, only one TVK MLA—Dr N Elaiyaraja—is said to have informed the party leadership of the attempt so far. Discussions are reportedly underway at the party headquarters on the identities of other MLAs who may have been contacted.
TVK MLAs are also expected to provide statements on the alleged poaching attempt as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The case has been registered at D1 Triplicane Police Station, Chennai, under Crime Number 205/2026, based on the complaint filed by Dr N Elaiyaraja, who represents Uthangarai constituency in Krishnagiri district and is currently staying at the MLA Hostel in Chennai.
The four persons named as accused in the FIR are Thirunavukkarasu, Naresh, Thiyagarajan and Krishnan.
Meanwhile, a TVK statement also alleged that ex-DMK minister Senthil Balaji and his brother were involved in the poaching attempt.
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The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) statement confirmed the attempt to bribe Dr Elaiyaraja, claiming that individuals linked to Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar had approached their MLA.
According to the party, Dr Elaiyaraja was contacted over the phone a few days ago by a person identified as Thirunavukkarasu, who allegedly introduced himself as the head of Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS), a survey agency. Thirunavukkarasu reportedly claimed that he was reaching out on behalf of certain persons belonging to a major political party and sought an in-person meeting.
TVK stated that Elaiyaraja initially declined the request, citing other commitments, and disconnected the call.
However, Thirunavukkarasu allegedly contacted him again and informed him that a resolution was set to be moved against the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. He allegedly asked the MLA to act according to their instructions during the voting process, despite being a ruling party legislator, and offered him up to Rs 35 crore in return.
The party alleged that when Elaiyaraja firmly rejected the proposal and warned the caller not to contact him again, Thirunavukkarasu threatened both the MLA and his family with dire consequences if details of the conversation were revealed publicly.
Following this, Elaiyaraja submitted a complaint to the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner on June 29, 2026, seeking legal action against Thirunavukkarasu and others behind him for attempting to bribe an elected representative and issuing threats to him and his family.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered at D1 Triplicane Police Station, Chennai. According to TVK, a subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Thirunavukkarasu from Arumbakkam, Chennai; Naresh from Tiruchirappalli; and Thiyagarajan from Medavakkam, Chennai.
The party further claimed that the investigation revealed that V Ashok Kumar, brother of Senthil Balaji, former DMK minister and current MLA from Coimbatore South, had met the accused Naresh in Chennai.
TVK alleged that Thirunavukkarasu contacted Elaiyaraja and engaged in the bribery attempt based on instructions from both Senthil Balaji and Ashok Kumar.
TVK said the police are continuing their investigation into the case.
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(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
