Jobaaj Stories
Chennai witnessed political turmoil as the Tamil Nadu BJP intensified its attack on the ruling DMK government over the alleged TASMAC liquor scam. On Monday, BJP state president K Annamalai, along with senior leaders including former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, were detained while attempting to march to the TASMAC headquarters in Egmore. The protests led to chaos across the city as police blocked BJP supporters from proceeding further.
What is TASMAC?
The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) was established in 1983 to regulate the sale of liquor and eliminate the threats of illegal alcohol. Over the years, TASMAC has evolved into a state-controlled monopoly, operating nearly 7,000 retail outlets and distributing over 3 lakh bottles daily. While TASMAC’s official operations are legal, reports suggest a thriving parallel black-market trade.
Details of the Alleged Scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered multiple FIRs under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Investigations reveal alleged bribery in liquor tenders, transfer-posting scams, and retail overpricing. Companies like SNJ, Kals, Accord, SAIFL, and Shiva Distillery are under the scanner for manipulating transport and bar license tenders. Distilleries and bottling companies reportedly inflated expenses and used fake invoices to generate over Rs 1,000 crore in illegal funds, allegedly funneled back as bribes to influence policies and contracts.
Overpricing and Black Market Operations
Investigations indicate that customers at TASMAC outlets are charged Rs 10 to Rs 50 above the MRP for each bottle. This additional charge, multiplied across lakhs of daily sales, results in enormous unaccounted profits. Furthermore, procurement favoritism allegedly pushes out national brands in favor of politically connected local distilleries.
BJP’s Political Strategy
The BJP has used this controversy to mount pressure on the DMK. State BJP chief K Annamalai has labeled DMK leader Senthil Balaji as the "kingpin" of Tamil Nadu’s liquor corruption. He compared the TASMAC scam to the Delhi liquor policy controversy that embroiled AAP.
DMK’s Counterattack
The DMK, on the other hand, has strongly refuted these allegations. Minister Senthil Balaji emphasized that all TASMAC purchases follow transparent guidelines. The DMK has accused the BJP of inflating the corruption narrative for political advantage ahead of the elections.
The Bigger Political Picture
The clash between BJP and DMK extends beyond corruption charges. The ongoing tension also stems from Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the Centre’s push for Hindi imposition and the proposed delimitation exercise, which the state fears will reduce its influence in national governance. The BJP’s focus on corruption appears to be part of a broader strategy to corner the DMK politically.
