A heated debate unfolded in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) between MLAs of the ruling TVK and the principal Opposition DMK over Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s remarks on the alleged siphoning of money in the name of “party funds” during the previous regime.

Replying to the Motion of Thanks to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s address to the House, Mr. Vijay launched a political attack on the previous DMK government. “If administrative efficiency means committing one act of corruption after another and then escaping accountability, this government will never indulge in such corrupt administrative practices. The money looted in TASMAC in the name of party funds is now being brought back to the government treasury,” he said.

DMK MLAs protest

Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin and DMK MLAs strongly objected to the Chief Minister’s remarks on “party funds”. All the DMK MLAs rose from their seats and raised slogans, demanding that Mr. Udhayanidhi be allowed to raise a Point of Order. Meanwhile, TVK MLAs also stood up, leading to a heated exchange between members of the ruling party and the principal Opposition.

Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar intervened and said Mr. Udhayanidhi would be given time to speak after the Chief Minister completed his address. However, refusing to accept this, DMK MLAs continued to object to the Chief Minister’s remarks and demanded that Mr. Udhayanidhi be given an opportunity to speak immediately.

Leader of the House and Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan said when the DMK was in power, the practice followed in the Assembly was for members to take notes while the ruling side spoke and respond only after the speech was completed.

He also said there had been no interruptions when Mr. Udhayanidhi spoke on Monday (June 22). “In particular, we remained silent even when he spoke about power cuts. During the tenure of former Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy (2006-11), power cuts led to a change in government,” he said.

The Speaker made it clear he could not take up Mr. Udhayanidhi’s Point of Order request at that moment and that he would be given an opportunity later.

Mr. Udhayanidhi said when he spoke on Monday, some Ministers had intervened and were permitted to do so. “During the Chief Minister’s speech, he referred to party funds. If you [the ruling side] have the courage, name the party. We are ready to face it. Allegations must be made only with evidence,” he said.

Vijay’s attack on DMK

Meanwhile, Mr. Vijay said: “Just as in the case of TASMAC, we are bringing back to the government treasury, one after another, the money looted in several departments in the name of party funds. We will not touch even a single paisa of the people’s money. Nor will we allow anyone else to touch it. If anyone does, we will not spare them. We will not spare those who misused it in the past either.”

He also accused the DMK of coming up with what he described as a “new weapon”. He said “They claim that our government survives because of their mercy (erstwhile allies of the DMK). Our government functions because of the mandate of the people. It is functioning with the support of parties that act according to their conscience. They claim that they were the ones who sent them to us. If so, when we have given ministerial positions to those whom they claim to have sent, why are they complaining? Why are they so angry?

“The CPI(M) and CPI have extended support to us. They have clearly stated that their decision was an independent one,” he said. While the Chief Minister was speaking, DMK MLAs staged a walkout.