Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has asserted that his government will not take 'a single paisa' of people's money, as he emphasized a commitment to transparency. Speaking on the issue of the so-called 'party fund' in the state-run liquor retailer TASMAC—a term often used as a code for alleged corruption—Vijay vowed to root out corruption from the state, even as the opposition DMK criticized the government.
Vijay's stance on transparency and corruption
During a press conference on June 23, 2026, Vijay stated, 'We will not take a single paisa of people's money. Our government is committed to transparency and accountability.' He directly addressed the TASMAC 'party fund' allegations, which have long been a point of contention in Tamil Nadu politics. The term 'party fund' refers to alleged kickbacks or illicit payments channeled through the state-owned liquor corporation to political parties.
Vijay's comments come amid heightened scrutiny of TASMAC's operations. The DMK, the main opposition party, has accused the ruling party of using TASMAC as a cash cow for political funding. In response, Vijay vowed to 'root out corruption from the state,' promising strict action against any officials found guilty of malpractice.
DMK's opposition and political context
The DMK has been vocal in its criticism of the Vijay government's handling of TASMAC. DMK spokesperson A. Raja said, 'The ruling party is using TASMAC to siphon off public money. Vijay's claims of transparency are hollow.' The DMK has demanded a probe into the alleged 'party fund' and called for the resignation of officials implicated in the scandal.
Vijay, however, dismissed these allegations, stating that his government has already initiated reforms to ensure clean governance. 'We have set up a special task force to investigate corruption in all government departments, including TASMAC,' he said. According to sources, the task force has already registered cases against 12 officials in the past month.
Impact on Tamil Nadu's governance
The issue underscores the ongoing political battle between the ruling party and the DMK ahead of the next state elections. Vijay's strong stance on corruption is seen as an attempt to distance his government from the legacy of previous administrations, which were often accused of graft. Political analyst R. S. Kumar noted, 'Vijay is trying to build an image of a clean leader, but the DMK's allegations could hurt his credibility if not addressed convincingly.'
As of now, the Tamil Nadu government has not released specific figures regarding the TASMAC 'party fund,' but Vijay's vow to not take 'a single paisa' of public money has resonated with some voters. The state's fiscal deficit, however, remains a concern, with TASMAC contributing nearly 20% of the state's own tax revenue, according to the Tamil Nadu Economic Survey 2025-26.
