The state BJP had called for a demonstration seeking the resignation of Minister V Senthil Balaji and action against officials, distilleries, and bottling plant owners linked to the massive scam. Accordingly, the party planned the protest in Egmore. However, police began gathering outside the homes of BJP karyakarthas, including women, from last night. Some even disturbed the women occupants and warned them not to step out in the morning to participate in the protest. Videos suggesting this were circulating on social media.
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai, clad in a black shirt, was arrested by Chennai police on the morning of the 17th (Monday), hours before he was set to lead a demonstration against alleged financial irregularities in the state-run liquor retailer, TASMAC.
Many Tamil Nadu BJP leaders have been arrested by Tamil Nadu Police for organizing a protest against TASMAC scam worth 1000 cr by DMK gang.
This is the same scam they want to cover up by diverting attention to the language issue.
This is what real dictatorship looks like!! pic.twitter.com/L14GjJE54f
— Mr Sinha (@Mrsinha) March 17, 2025
Annamalai, who had planned to hold a protest outside the TASMAC headquarters in Chennai’s Egmore, was detained near his residence in Akkarai as he attempted to leave for the venue.
திமுககாரன் போல ஊழல் செஞ்சு கைதாகல, 1கோடி மக்களை குடிக்க வெச்சு ஊழல் செஞ்ச திமுகவ எதிர்த்து கைது❤️ #தொடைநடுங்கி_திமுக pic.twitter.com/cUmqP22qKP
— Sanghi Prince 🚩 (@SanghiPrince) March 17, 2025
Annamalai said, “TN CM Stalin will be the first accused in the TASMAC scam.” He condemned the police action, accusing the ruling government of suppressing democratic dissent.
“ஊழல் செய், ஊத்தி கொடு” – திராவிட மாடலின் ஆட்சி மந்திரம் ! pic.twitter.com/afHoB5rVn9
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) March 17, 2025
He said, “Is it because we announced the protest in advance that you are able to act in such a cowardly manner? What can you do if we launch a protest suddenly, without prior notice?”
திமுக அரசின் 1000 கோடி ரூபாய்க்கு அதிகமான டாஸ்மாக் ஊழலை எதிர்த்து, தமிழக பாஜக சார்பில் இன்று நடைபெறவிருந்த முற்றுகைப் போராட்டத்தை, பாஜக தலைவர்கள், நிர்வாகிகள் மற்றும் தொண்டர்களை கைது செய்திருப்பதன் மூலம் முடக்கியிருப்பதாக நினைத்துக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது திமுகவின் காவல்துறை.… pic.twitter.com/M2QpPNoSta
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 17, 2025
He stated that CM Stalin is the first accused, followed by Senthil Balaji. Annamalai said, “People of TN know that the accused number 1 in the TASMAC Liquor scam is TN CM Thiru @mkstalin. We will continue to protest against this corrupt, tyrannical DMK Govt. How long will you keep arresting us?”
The TN BJP leader stated on his X platform, “We, on behalf of Tamil Nadu BJP, had announced a protest today at the Chennai TASMAC headquarters to protest the DMK government’s Rs.1000 crore TASMAC scam. The DMK government, trembling with fear, has placed senior BJP karyakarthas and former Telangana governor Tamil Isai Soundararjan under house arrest.”
Several other senior BJP leaders, including former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Mahila Morcha chief and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, and BJP MLA Saraswathi, were also taken into custody at different locations across the city. Police personnel were seen outside the residence of former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan since last night. When she emerged from her residence in the morning, she was surrounded by police personnel.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Ruckus outside the residence of BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan
Police detained her from her residence in Chennai ahead of BJP's protest over the alleged TASMAC scam pic.twitter.com/mPWBNwdnV3
— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2025
BJP functionary Vinoj P Selvam posted on X, “Arrested and detained at the Devar Mandapam in T Nagar along with the dedicated karyakartha of @BJP4TamilNadu. Today is the first of many protests to come against the corrupt @arivalayam.”
Arrested and detained at the devar mandapam in T nagar along with the dedicated karyakartha of @BJP4TamilNadu
Today is the first of many protests to come against the corrupt @arivalayam @AmitShah @blsanthosh @annamalai_k pic.twitter.com/LpH1d8nJ7k— Vinoj P Selvam (@VinojBJP) March 17, 2025
Former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and senior party functionaries were detained in various locations. There were not enough marriage halls to accommodate the detained leaders, resulting in many being dropped in the middle of the roads under the scorching sun. They were seen walking or arguing with the police about their actions. Police had booked only 44 marriage halls to hold them until the evening, but this was insufficient for the large crowd that participated in the demonstration.
#தொடை_நடுங்கி_திமுக
சென்னையில் மட்டும் 44 மண்டபங்களில் பாஜகவினர் அடக்க வைக்கப்பட்டு இருக்கிறார்கள். இந்த மண்டபத்தை நிற்பதற்கு கூட இடமில்லை.
கைது செய்யப்பட்டவர்களை எங்கு அடைப்பது என்று தெரியாமல் விழிக்கும் தமிழக அரசு. pic.twitter.com/aATRMdBQ8K— Rajbjp (@rajsd_bjp) March 17, 2025
Mahila Morcha chief and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan and BJP MLA Saraswathi were also arrested at different locations across the city. In some places, BJP cadres blocked the roads, resulting in traffic congestion.
In Kumbakonam, BJP cadres sealed a TASMAC shop, creating tense moments for the police.
Our karyakartas go the very last mile to ensure justice is done ! We take the clarion call from Thalaivar very seriously .@annamalai_k pic.twitter.com/PEVPmLhUJK
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) March 17, 2025
PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the arrest of Annamalai and others before they could protest. They were to lay siege to the TASMAC headquarters in connection with the Rs.1000 crore scam. He questioned why the police feared people protesting against corruption. “Can’t they protest against corruption in the state? Is it against the law, or do they have no rights to do so in a democratic manner? If the government has not indulged in corruption, it should order a CBI probe. Will they do so?”
ரூ.1000 கோடி டாஸ்மாக் ஊழல்: போராட்டத்துக்கு முன்பே அண்ணாமலை உள்ளிட்ட பாரதிய ஜனதா தலைவர்கள் கைது செய்யப்பட்டது கண்டிக்கத்தக்கது!
ரூ.1000 கோடி டாஸ்மாக் ஊழலைக் கண்டித்து சென்னையில் டாஸ்மாக் தலைமை அலுவலகத்தை முற்றுகையிடும் போராட்டத்தை நடத்துவதற்கு முன்பே பாரதிய ஜனதாவின் மாநிலத்…
— Dr ANBUMANI RAMADOSS (@draramadoss) March 17, 2025
Critics argue, “It is the fascist face of the DMK regime. The same DMK and its allies were saying ‘lotus will not bloom in EV Ramaswamy Naicker’s soil.’ Now, the BJP has been causing nightmares for the DMK and its leaders. They cannot take on the BJP democratically. The BJP wanted to show their anger by holding a peaceful protest. They should have been allowed to do so. Now their arrests have been flashed in national media, garnering publicity for the BJP and negative coverage for the DMK rulers.”
Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy, BJP National Co-Incharge for Tamil Nadu, said on X, “ED unearthed massive corruption under DMK—fake tenders, inflated expenses, and huge kickbacks. Instead of ensuring accountability, CM Stalin’s government is arresting BJP leaders and karyakartas fighting against this misrule.”
₹1,000+ Cr TASMAC Scam — DMK’s Corruption Exposed.
ED unearthed massive corruption under DMK fake tenders, inflated expenses, and huge kickbacks. Instead of accountability, CM Stalin’s govt is arresting BJP leaders and karyakartas fighting against this misrule.
We demand the… pic.twitter.com/nVrD6uG9SV
— Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy(Modi Ka Parivar) (@ReddySudhakar21) March 17, 2025
NDA allies like TMC, led by GK Vasan, and others extended their support to the BJP and condemned the police action. Unexpectedly, even VCK hailed the protest as necessary. Its chief, Thol Thirumavalavan, condemned the police action, calling it fascist.
டாஸ்மாக் ஊழலுக்கு எதிராக நமது கட்சியின் போராட்டத்துக்கு ஆதரவளித்துள்ள @arivalayam -த்தின் முக்கிய கூட்டணி கட்சியின் தலைவரான திரு.@thirumaofficial அவர்கள்.! pic.twitter.com/2bLqxNj8Q8
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) March 17, 2025
The ED conducted raids at the TASMAC headquarters, the sole marketing arm of the state government selling Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) to citizens. It also searched distilleries and other entities linked to the trade. The raids lasted nearly three days, and at the end, the ED issued a statement saying, “Investigations reveal that distilleries systematically inflated expenses and fabricated bogus purchases, particularly through bottle-making companies, to siphon off over Rs 1,000 crore in unaccounted cash.” It stated, “SNJ, Kals, Accord, SAIFL, and Shiva Distillery were allegedly found to have funnelled unaccounted cash through bottling companies such as Devi Bottles and Crystal Bottles. These funds were allegedly used to bribe TASMAC officials in exchange for inflated supply orders. The ED is also probing bribery in staff transfers, and that TASMAC shops allegedly routinely overcharged customers by Rs 10 to Rs 30 per bottle.”
