The ministers of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led state government have been accused of serious corruption by former chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu who later founded the “We The Leaders” party. On 16th August (Sunday), he disclosed that some members of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s cabinet have begun seeking kickbacks from government contractors in the range of 2% to 4%.
Annamalai even asserted to have audio evidence of his explosive statement. The accusations were made during an environmental awareness event that his outfit hosted in Chennai. Notably, Joseph Vijay has repeatedly committed to enforcing a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and establishing a governance system free from corruption. He has even stated that rescuing the state from corruption is akin to attaining freedom and independence.
" த.வெ.க அரசில் லஞ்சம், ஊழல் மீண்டும் ஆரம்பித்துள்ளது..! என்னிடம் எல்லா ஆடியோவும் இருக்கு..! " ஊழல் விவகாரத்தில் நீங்கள் எப்படி இருக்கீங்களோ அதை உங்கள் அமைச்சர் பெருமக்களுக்கும் அறிவுறுத்துங்கள் முதல்வர் விஜய் அவர்களே..! ஓராண்டுக்கு பின் நான் பிரச்சனையை கிளப்புவதற்குள் அதனை… pic.twitter.com/wTCkH1SFbH
— Polimer News (@polimernews) August 16, 2026
However, Annamalai’s allegations present a contrasting image to the assurances made by the head of TVK. “They did not take kickbacks in major tenders earlier, but some ministers have started demanding them now. Some ministers are saying they came after giving money for votes, so give two per cent, give three per cent, give four per cent,” he emphasised without taking any names or releasing the recordings.
He asked Joseph Vijay to take action against officials and ministers before the problem worsens and urged, “You stated in your Independence Day address that corruption would be eradicated in our lifetime. Tighten the reins on ministers and officials with regular weekend review meetings, because if the reins are loosened, the administration will drift.”
He stated that the matter is going to be formally raised after the conclusion of the government’s first term in office. Annamalai also stressed that he would give the elected government time to function and was not looking to destabilise it.
He added, “Out of 234 MLAs, 154 members have entered the Assembly for the first time following the 2026 elections. We say everywhere: Give them one year. Let them do their work. If they do not perform properly, we will be the first to point it out. If they do not perform well, we will be the first to level charges against them.”
Annamalai’s accusations have placed Vijay Joseph’s government under scrutiny, particularly as it has allegedly initiated an anti-corruption campaign in Tamil Nadu.
