T.N. Assembly: AIADMK MLAs walk out after being disallowed to raise TASMAC case issue

AIADMK general secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami. File
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj

AIADMK general secretary and Opposition leader, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, on Monday (April 7, 2025) staged a walked out along with other AIADMK MLAs, protesting Speaker M. Appavu’s decision to not allow a discussion on an issue he sought to raise during the Zero Hour. The Speaker had declined to entertain a discussion contending the issue was sub judice.

Addressing journalists outside the Assembly, Mr. Palaniswami said he wanted to raise why TASMAC had approached the Supreme Court seeking transfer of Directorate of Enforcement (ED)-related cases against it out of the Madras High Court to any other High Court.

“Directorate of Enforcement raided liquor distilleries that supplied to TASMAC and said it had found evidence that point to financial irregularities to the tune of ₹1,000 crore. TASMAC had filed a case against ED raids and another case alleging its employees were mistreated by the agency. Furthermore, another case was filed in Madras High Court that no further action should be taken by ED. A two judge bench of the Madras High Court had taken up the case but later the judges recused themselves. The Madras High Court Chief Justice constituted a new bench, which took up this case,” he said.

“However, the TASMAC did not want this bench to hear the case… so they have made a mention in the Supreme Court seeking that all cases related to ED be transferred out of the Madras High Court to another State. I wanted to bring this to the notice of the State Government but it wasn’t allowed,” Mr. Palaniswami said. He wanted to raise the issue which is on the minds of the people.

“When the Speaker and Leader of the House said that a case pending in court cannot be discussed, we wanted to speak about why TASMAC wanted to transfer ED-related cases out to other States. We think the State government is scared about media in Tamil Nadu reporting on the case if it is heard by Madras High court. If it is heard by High Court in another State, there wouldn’t be spotlight on the case,” he alleged.

Mr. Palaniswami said, “When I was the Chief Minister, a case was filed against me in Madras High Court. I faced it. Did we seek a transfer of case to other High Courts? TASMAC is a part of the State Government… it is not an issue of an individual.”