Erode, July 5 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan on Sunday rejected the opposition’s allegations that the ruling TVK-led government was indulging in political horse-trading, asserting that the alliance enjoys a comfortable majority and has no need to lure legislators from rival parties.

Responding to allegations that large sums of money were allegedly used to engineer defections, Sengottaiyan dismissed the claims as “baseless” and said the government was stable, transparent and backed by an overwhelming public mandate.

“There is absolutely no truth to these allegations. We have formed a strong and stable government, and our alliance partners continue to extend their full support. There is no need for horse-trading,” he told reporters in Erode.

The minister’s remarks came a day after the DMK accused the TVK government of pursuing a political vendetta, using the police to pressure opposition leaders and attempting to poach MLAs.

Highlighting the strength of the ruling coalition, Sengottaiyan said the alliance continued to enjoy the support of the Congress, VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

Turning the criticism back on the opposition, he alleged that it was the DMK that had introduced and practised political defections in Tamil Nadu. Referring to past instances, he claimed that legislators, including former AIADMK leader Anita R. Radhakrishnan, had been persuaded to switch sides under previous DMK governments.

“Those who once ran a minority government with only 96 MLAs may have needed horse-trading. We do not. Our government has been formed on the strength of the people’s mandate,” he said.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding Governor R.N. Ravi’s recent review meeting, which the opposition described as an overreach of constitutional authority, Sengottaiyan declined to elaborate, saying the state Law Minister has already presented the government’s position on the issue.

The minister also sought to clarify recent remarks linked to the Karur stampede controversy, in which references to “settling accounts” drew criticism from the opposition.

He said the statement had been misunderstood and was intended only to assure affected families that the government would ensure justice and provide them with full legal protection.

The controversy has reached the Supreme Court, where the DMK has sought directions restraining Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and other TVK leaders for making what the party described as “false and inflammatory statements” regarding the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives.

Earlier in the day, Sengottaiyan inaugurated a new ration shop at Karattadipalayam in Erode district, built for Rs 16 lakh from the MLA Constituency Development Fund. The facility is expected to benefit 710 ration card holders in the locality.

Praising Chief Minister Vijay’s style of governance, the minister said the new administration was setting new standards in governance through speedy decision-making, daily reviews at the Secretariat and direct interaction with the public to ensure that welfare schemes reached every section of society.

–IANS

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