Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Nov 6 The Madurai City Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Friday arrested former deputy Mayor and AIADMK functionary P M Mannan on charges of attempting to bribe a ruling TVK MLA to vote against the state government during a possible no-confidence motion.
Mannan was taken into custody in the morning for allegedly offering a sum ranging between Rs 15 crore and Rs 30 crore to Madurai Central TVK MLA Madhar Badruddin, also known as Mustafa. The illicit offer was reportedly routed through the legislator’s assistant, Kani.
According to police sources, Mannan was subjected to intense interrogation for over four hours by a special team led by deputy commissioner of police, MP Divya. Security has been beefed up in the area as a large number of the AIADMK leader’s supporters gathered following the arrest.
Authorities are currently expediting the process to produce him before a magistrate for remand.
Meanwhile, investigators were also questioning Kani, the MLA’s assistant who filed the official complaint.
The CCB is scrutinising alleged telephonic conversations and audio evidence to uncover the broader network behind the horse-trading attempt.
Police are working to identify other key individuals involved in the alleged conspiracy to topple the TVK government.
The ruling TVK has been making allegations of attempts to poach its MLAs in a bid to topple the C Joseph Vijay-led maiden government of the party.
The TVK government had earlier won a trust vote in May, days after coming to power.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, AIADMK leader R B Udhayakumar condemned the arrest, calling it a “diversionary tactic” by the state government.
“As far as P M Mannan is concerned, he is someone who maintains friendly relations and speaks casually with everyone. Using such a situation for political vendetta is against the law,” Udhayakumar alleged.
Udhayakumar also questioned the validity of the audio evidence cited by the complainant, suggesting it could be artificial intelligence-generated and asserting that such matters should be proven in court.
He accused the government of focusing on “horse-trading” allegations to deflect from its administrative failures, including rising prices, deteriorating law and order, and corruption.
He further reiterated that the AIADMK would face the issue legally and that the party would not bow to any intimidation tactics.
(PTI News)
