With All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Deputy General Secretary T T V Dinakaran in the dock for allegedly bribing the Election Commission (EC), various political parties across the nation condemned the former's action, adding he has degraded the Tamil Nadu politics.
"It was a shocking disclosure. Dinakaran, the relative of Sasikala, attempted to bribe the Election Commission official to get 'Two Leaves'. In a very short time, Dinakaran has taken the Tamil Nadu politics to the new low," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader S. Prakash told ANI.
He further said that the people of Tamil Nadu and the AIADMK factions have realized their blunders and now they are discussing each other to merge and emerge as one entity.
"The election was countermanded as he bribed the constituency by 89 crores. The influence of such a huge money power forced the Election Commission to cancel the polls which should have been held on April 12. Today he is facing one more serious charges and a warrant has been issued," Prakash added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majeed Memon said that this is something very dangerous for a free society and for a democracy.
"If it is true then serious steps must be taken. The chief election commission and the investigating agency should go to the bottom of truth and not spare any person who is indulged in such type of corrupt practices," he added.
He further said that every voter was given Rs. 4000 per vote and crores of rupees were distributed.
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"The result was that the elections had to be dropped. Even for symbol, the Election Commission was sought to be bribed," Memon added.
Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja said whether Dinakaran will be taken under the custody for questioning that will take time law takes its course.
"The situation in Tamil continues to be bad. We have to wait for the further development. There are reports that leaders of both the factions are tugging to each other. One has to wait for the development," he added.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Monday asserted that the entire development reeks of desperation on behalf of the Sasikala Natarajan faction.
"It is very shameful that they (AIADMK) have gone to the extent of bribing the Election Commission. If they have the majority then they should prove the majority. But if they are bribing the Election Commission then it proves that they don't have the majority," DMK senior leader TKS Elangovan told ANI here.
The DMK leader further said this is a corrupt government, which is least concerned for the people and has put all its focus on grabbing money and power.
"The AIADMK is a corrupt party. The AIADMK is a headless body now," he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Tamilisai Soundarajan told ANI that the entire development was a new version of corruption.
Dinakaran was earlier in the day named an accused in the FIR filed by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for allegedly offering bribe for his party's 'two leaves' symbol, which was declared suspended a few weeks ago.
The police action came in the wake of arrest of an alleged middleman named Sukesh Chandrasekhar from Hyatt hotel last night.
The Delhi Police's case against Dinakaran comes even as a major crisis looms in the state government with a section of ministers revolting against him and seeking his resignation as party deputy general secretary.
Dinakaran has, however, cried foul while stating that he does not know accused middleman.
"I will legally face if any summon comes to me from the Delhi Police. I don't know anybody by this name Sukesh Chandrasekhar (alleged middleman). I haven't bribed anyone for anything," Dinakaran said.
Dinakaran's faction contested on the 'hat' symbol after the Election Commission froze their 'two leaves' symbol acknowledging the split in the party.