AMMK raises 'horse-trading' charge against TVK, Vijay-led party denies accusation

Speaking to reporters here, Dhinakaran said on behalf of his party, a formal complaint was lodged with the Guindy police against the TVK, alleging the use of a forged support letter to stake claim for government formation.

AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran on Saturday accused TVK of ''engaging in horse-trading'' by using a ''forged'' letter of support to stake a claim for government formation, a charge denied by the Vijay-led party. Dhinakaran also sought to know why the original letter, allegedly pledging support to TVK, was not submitted to the governor by Vijay's party and vowed to pursue the matter legally. The controversy centres on the alleged letter signed by the AMMK's lone MLA-designate S Kamaraj from Mannargudi, pledging support to TVK. While Dhinakaran termed it ''forgery'', the TVK responded by releasing a video purportedly showing Kamaraj signing the letter inside a car. TVK also denied indulging in any ''horse-trading'' in order to meet the requisite numbers in the Assembly and said the party leader Vijay would not stoop down to such a low. Dhinakaran raised questions regarding the authenticity of the video. ''On what basis did you meet him (Kamaraj)? Where did you meet? In which car? In which town? Where did you take that?'' he asked. ''I suspect that the TVK, in a desperate bid to form the government, as it lacked the majority, might have indulged in horse-trading,'' Dhinakaran alleged. Wondering whether Vijay would release the original letter, the AMMK leader claimed that it was ''fake'', possibly AI-generated. Speaking to reporters here, Dhinakaran said on behalf of his party, a formal complaint was lodged with the Guindy police against the TVK, alleging the use of a ''forged'' support letter to stake claim for government formation. Warning of legal action after consulting the lawyers, he said, ''I will not let it go until I get justice.'' Noting that Kamaraj won the assembly seat in Mannargudi constituency against TVK, he asked, ''How come he would support without my consent?'' The AMMK leader emphasised the grave implications of forging documents to establish a government, claiming that such actions, if foundational to government formation, would be disastrous for the state. Dhinakaran also urged Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to invite AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami to form the government and offered his party's lone MLA-designate Kamaraj's support to the AIADMK with whom his party contested the April 23 Assembly election under the NDA. Appearing alongside Dhinakaran, Kamaraj told reporters that he stayed at a resort in Puducherry along with the AIADMK's newly elected members. He alleged that his ''letter of support'' to the TVK was allegedly forged. ''They (TVK) did not contact me. It (letter) is a fake.'' On Saturday, the AMMK lodged a formal complaint with the Guindy police against the TVK, alleging the use of a ''forged'' support letter to stake a claim for government formation. According to Guindy police, a petition has been received from Dhinakaran. Reacting to the development, DMK MP P Wilson said on 'X': ''I now understand what they meant when they said they are bringing change to TN politics - Tamil Nadu hasn't seen horse trading attempts like this in many years.'' Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, with 108 seats, but 10 short of a majority initially, had earlier reached out to the Congress, CPI, CPI (M) and the VCK-- all DMK allies, seeking their support to form the government after winning its maiden Assembly election in Tamil Nadu, which was held on April 23. Apart from Congress (5 seats), the three others have two MLAs each in the 234-member House. The VCK is likely to announce its support to the TVK later in the day.