Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai Arrested Ahead of Protest Against TASMAC Corruption
Chennai police arrested Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai on Monday morning, just hours before he was set to lead a protest against alleged Rs 1,000-crore corruption in TASMAC, the state-run liquor retailer. Annamalai was detained near his residence in Akkarai before he could head to the demonstration at TASMAC’s headquarters in Egmore.
Multiple BJP Leaders Detained in Chennai
The crackdown extended beyond Annamalai, with several senior BJP leaders taken into custody. Former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, BJP Mahila Morcha President and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, and BJP MLA Saraswathi were among those detained. The arrests took place as BJP workers started assembling for the protest.
TASMAC Scam: ED Uncovers Rs 1,000-Crore Corruption
The protest aimed to expose a massive Rs 1,000-crore scam linked to TASMAC, as revealed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The investigation uncovered bribery in liquor supply deals, manipulated tenders, and unaccounted cash transactions between TASMAC officials and major liquor manufacturers.
Heavy Police Deployment Blocks BJP Protest
As BJP supporters marched from Rajarathinam Stadium toward TASMAC’s office, Chennai police imposed heavy security measures. Authorities even surrounded Soundararajan’s residence in Saligramam to prevent her participation. Many BJP workers were detained before reaching the protest site.
Annamalai Slams DMK Government After Arrest
Following his arrest, Annamalai accused the ruling DMK government of suppressing dissent. He called the police action a “cowardly move” to silence opposition voices. “You did this only because we announced the protest in advance,” he said, warning of future surprise demonstrations.
ED Investigation Exposes Massive TASMAC Corruption
The ED’s recent raids across Tamil Nadu on March 6 unearthed shocking corruption within TASMAC, including:
✅ Fake invoices and inflated expenses used to siphon illegal funds.
✅ Rs 100 crore worth of transport contracts awarded to ineligible bidders, some with no competition.
✅ TASMAC liquor shops overcharging customers by Rs 10 to Rs 30 per bottle.
✅ Bribes influencing staff transfers within TASMAC.
Political Tensions Rise as TASMAC Scandal Deepens
With the ED intensifying its investigation, arrests are mounting, fueling political friction between the BJP and Tamil Nadu’s ruling parties. As allegations of large-scale corruption in TASMAC continue to surface, the controversy is expected to escalate, leading to further political showdowns in the state.
