BJP Alleges ₹1,000-Crore Liquor Scam in Tamil Nadu After ED Raids
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government of a ₹1,000-crore liquor scam involving the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), citing Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids as evidence. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has rejected the claims as baseless, amid escalating political tensions during the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 session.
The BJP’s accusations coincided with the presentation of the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025-26 by Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu. The budget outlined welfare schemes like fare-free bus travel for women and job creation initiatives, but opposition parties disrupted the session. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) staged a walkout, amplifying demands for accountability over the alleged TASMAC scam.
BJP leader Amit Malaviya alleged that ED raids revealed ₹1,000 crore in unaccounted cash transactions linked to distilleries. “The ED has uncovered documents showing bribes worth ₹1,000 crore,” he posted on X, urging CM Stalin to disclose the recipients. He further accused Stalin of using distractions like the three-language policy and NEP debates to divert attention from the raids.
AIADMK Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami called for the DMK government’s resignation, citing moral responsibility for the alleged corruption. The BJP echoed this demand, intensifying pressure on the state administration. BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan wrote to the Assembly Speaker, stating, “ED’s investigation into TASMAC has uncovered unaccounted cash transactions worth ₹1,000 crore.”
ALSO READ | Massive Fire in Rajkot’s Aslantis Building Kills 3, Traps 30
Tamil Nadu Excise Minister Senthil Balaji dismissed the claims, asserting transparency in TASMAC operations. “For the past four years, the bar tender process has been online. There is no room for malpractices,” he said. He criticized the ED for not specifying the FIR’s registration year, calling the accusations baseless.
The BJP alleged that Stalin’s government was manipulating the system to fill party coffers, a charge the DMK refuted. The opposition’s walkout and protests underscored the deepening divide in Tamil Nadu politics. The ED raids, targeting TASMAC and liquor-supplying firms, have fueled the ongoing confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties.
The controversy is set to dominate Tamil Nadu’s political landscape as the budget session continues. Authorities are expected to release more details on the ED’s findings, while the DMK prepares to counter the opposition’s demands for accountability. Further developments are anticipated as investigations unfold.
