Tuticorin

TVK legislator G. Saravanan, who represents the Srivaikuntam Assembly constituency, has alleged that he was offered between Rs 30 crore and Rs 100 crore to leave the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and join the DMK. He also claimed that he received death threats after refusing the alleged offers.

Speaking to reporters at his party office, Saravanan said attempts were made to lure him with substantial financial inducements and intimidate him into switching political allegiance.

"Different people approached me with offers of Rs 30 crore, Rs 50 crore, and even Rs 100 crore, asking me to join the DMK. When I rejected these proposals, they began threatening me, warning that I would be killed if I did not cooperate," he alleged.

Saravanan said those behind the alleged attempts believed he could be influenced because he had risen from a grassroots political background to become an MLA.

The legislator maintained that his allegations were supported by evidence.

"I am not making baseless claims. I have proof regarding the offer of Rs 30 crore. A theatre owner from Tirunelveli was involved, and four supporters of a former minister also contacted me about the proposal," he claimed, without revealing further details.

He further alleged that the intimidation extended beyond verbal threats.

"They came directly to my MLA office and threatened me. They said that if I travelled by car, they would ram a lorry into my vehicle. Around 25 days ago, while I was driving, a lorry deliberately veered towards us as if it intended to crash into my car," Saravanan said.

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The allegations come amid an ongoing political confrontation between the DMK and the TVK, with both parties accusing each other of attempting to poach legislators through inducements and political manoeuvring.