Tamil Nadu vote of confidence which made Edappadi Palaniswami, the Chief Minister on February 18, was influenced by money. Times Now and Moon TV expose reveals that money was paid to the MLAs to vote in favour of the ruling AIADMK in the assembly. The sting operation was carried out on two AIADMK legislators from SS Sarvanan and G Kanagaraj.
Sarvanan was one of the MLAs who managed to escape from the Golden Bay resort and joined the O Pannerselvam faction. In conversation with Shahnawaz Khan the MD of Moon TV, the Madurai MLA revealed that each MLA was supposed to get 2crore rupees only to manifold into 6crore rupees. They were promised to be rewarded in gold as there was cash crunch. When Sarvanan escaped, he held that MLAs were held captive. However, in the expose, he reveals that unlike the media reports, people were rejoicing in the camp. He revealed that 3 MLAs Thani Arasu, Karunas and Tamimun Ansari got 10 crore, while others did not secure get 1 crore rupees.
Sarvanan can be seen saying that those who were side-lined by Late Jayalalithaa are now part of OPS faction. He explained that despite being offered such huge money, he escaped the resort as he did not want to remain one in the crowd and wanted to be recognised.
On the other hand, Kanakaraj who voted for Palanisami confirmed that cash and gold was promised and revealed that the process of paying out is still in progress.
Palaniswami won the trust vote held after gaining the support of 122 legislators. The intensity of this cash vote for case is more than 100crore rupees.
