A man from Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district has publicly accused Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLA Ku Saravanan of accepting a Rs 60,000 bribe in exchange for promising him a seat on the Adi Dravidar Welfare Board. The accusation has sparked a significant political dispute, with DMK MP Kanimozhi calling for a proper inquiry and questioning whether the legislator remains fit to hold public office.
The issue came to light after a video featuring Vainavapperumal, a private firm employee residing near Airal, circulated widely across social media platforms. In the recording, the complainant stated that the lawmaker demanded an advance payment of Rs 60,000 to help secure a membership role on the Thoothukudi District Adi Dravidar Welfare Board.
According to Vainavapperumal, he had a close working relationship with Saravanan and actively campaigned for his electoral success during past Assembly elections. When he pursued the welfare board opportunity, the MLA allegedly promised the appointment in exchange for the funds, leading the complainant to borrow money at steep interest rates to gather the amount.
After more than a month passed without any appointment updates or clear answers, Vainavapperumal discovered through a local newspaper that the position had instead been given to someone else from Korampallam. When he went to the MLA to request a refund, Saravanan allegedly responded with threats rather than returning the cash.
Stating that the resulting debt has plunged him into deep financial distress and impacted his family's livelihood, Vainavapperumal has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay to step in. He is pressing for a fair inquiry, the retrieval of his money, and necessary legal actions if the claims are proven true.
Weighing in on the incident, DMK MP Kanimozhi posted criticism on social media, pointing to the claims as an example of the discrepancy between promises of clean administration and the actual behavior of elected officials. She also brought up past controversies linked to Saravanan, including a woman's claims of being defrauded under the guise of a government job offer and subjected to sexual assault, alongside an episode where the legislator allegedly berated a doctor during a late-night hospital visit.
Kanimozhi remarked that the situation is especially alarming given the legislator's influence in her Thoothukudi constituency, insisting that a thorough probe is necessary because the official is unsuited to represent the public. The allegations remain unverified, and official inquiries alongside responses from the accused representative will be vital in establishing the truth and deciding any subsequent legal measures.