Published Jul 15, 2026 | 5:57 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 15, 2026 | 5:57 PM
N. Veerasamy. (Supplied)
Synopsis: TVK has expelled Mambakkam Panchayat President N. Veera after a video purportedly showing him accepting ₹1.3 lakh from a contractor went viral. Veera denied the allegations, claiming the money was repayment of a loan and accusing rivals of attempting to defame him and Chief Minister Vijay.
The ruling party in Tamil Nadu, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Wednesday, 15 July, has expelled Mambakkam Panchayat President and Chengalpattu East District Joint Secretary N. Veera alias Veerasamy from the party after a video purportedly showing him receiving money from a contractor went viral on social media, sparking allegations of bribery.
The controversy revolves around a ₹9.80 lakh cement road contract executed in Mambakkam Panchayat under the Thiruporur Assembly constituency in Chengalpattu district.
According to allegations made by contractor Naveen (24), he had completed a ₹9.80 lakh cement road project in Mambakkam Panchayat, but the payment for the work was kept pending.
Also Read: Being asked for a bribe in Tamil Nadu? Report on WhatsApp helpline 94981 80936
When he approached Veera to facilitate the clearance of his bill, the latter allegedly asked him to meet at his party office on 8 July and demanded ₹1 lakh as a bribe.
Naveen allegedly pleaded that paying such an amount would leave him with no profit from the contract, following which the two reportedly negotiated and initially settled the amount at ₹75,000.
The contractor alleged that he transferred ₹50,000 to Veera through Google Pay the following day. However, when he met Veera again on 10 July to pay the remaining amount, Veera allegedly increased the demand to ₹2 lakh.
After further negotiations, the amount was allegedly reduced to ₹1.30 lakh. Naveen claimed that after he agreed to pay the revised amount, Veera called the panchayat clerk over the phone and instructed that his bill be processed immediately.
According to the contractor, he transferred another ₹50,000 to Veera through Google Pay on 11 July and later handed over the remaining ₹30,000 in cash at Veera’s office.
A video purportedly showing the cash being handed over has since gone viral on social media. Naveen further alleged that despite paying the ₹1.30 lakh, his bill has still not been cleared.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, 15 July, after the video surfaced, Veera categorically denied the bribery allegations.
He claimed that the money seen in the video was the repayment of an amount he had earlier lent to the contractor and asserted that the allegations were fabricated to malign his reputation and tarnish the image of Chief Minister Vijay.
“If I were accepting a bribe, would I receive it through my own Google Pay account or in my office?” Veera asked, describing the allegations as a deliberate attempt to defame him and the state government.
Also Read: Three jail wardens held after post-mortem in Nagercoil custodial death finds 19 injuries
The latest allegations have also revived scrutiny over Veera’s tenure as Mambakkam panchayat president.
Complaints alleging irregularities in the functioning of the panchayat were lodged by ward members in 2023, following which the District Collector initiated proceedings under Section 205 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act. After multiple inquiries, show-cause notices and meetings of ward members, the District Collector, by an order dated April 22, 2025, removed Veera from the post of panchayat president.
Veera challenged the removal before the Madras High Court. In its judgment delivered on 6 March 2026, the court held that the Collector’s order suffered from violations of the principles of natural justice, including reliance on allegations that were not part of the original show-cause notice and failure to adequately consider Veera’s explanations.
The High Court consequently set aside the removal order and remitted the matter to the District Collector for fresh consideration without directing a de novo inquiry.
Following the High Court’s order, Veera resumed office as panchayat president. However, amid the fresh bribery allegations and the circulation of the purported video on social media, TVK has now expelled him from the party.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
