Gold trail leads to revival of ‘cash-for-votes’ case against Tamil Nadu BJP chief
Chennai, July 17 – A recent gold seizure has reignited a long-dormant cash-for-votes case involving Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai. The discovery has triggered a political storm, raising concerns about the role of money in the state’s electoral process.
Income Tax officials and the Election Commission raided a vehicle near Vellore in April 2024. They found 6.8 kilograms of gold, worth nearly Rs 3.5 crore, without valid documents. The vehicle was linked to BJP functionaries and was heading toward a politically sensitive constituency.
Gold Trail Leads to Political Heat
Investigators traced the gold to individuals reportedly close to the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit. They also recovered mobile phones and laptops. The devices contained messages sent to party agents and local campaign managers.
Authorities found a pattern of planned distribution of valuables to voters. The Election Commission decided to reopen an old FIR filed during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. That case was dropped due to lack of evidence at the time.
ED and State Police Step In
Following the seizure, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a financial investigation. Officials are examining links between BJP leaders, local jewellers, and logistics providers.
The Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of the Tamil Nadu Police is running a parallel probe. They are looking into whether the gold was part of a larger operation to bribe voters in rural districts.
An ED official said the gold seizure has filled key gaps in the earlier case. This time, digital and financial evidence supports the allegations.
Annamalai Rejects Allegations
BJP state chief K. Annamalai denied any wrongdoing. At a press meet in Coimbatore, he claimed the case is politically driven.
“These accusations are baseless,” he said. “The BJP believes in clean politics. We did not use illegal methods to gain votes.”
He also accused the ruling DMK of misusing state machinery to frame opposition leaders. Annamalai urged the media to wait for the facts before drawing conclusions.
Opposition Parties Demand Action
The DMK, Congress, and Left parties demanded Annamalai’s resignation. They called for a court-monitored investigation.
DMK leader Duraimurugan said, “The BJP got caught trying to buy votes. The people of Tamil Nadu deserve better.”
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram tweeted, “Follow the gold, find the truth. This is not an isolated case.”
The CPI(M) urged the Election Commission to ban candidates who try to influence voters with cash or valuables.
Cash-for-Votes: A Recurring Issue
Tamil Nadu has faced similar cases in recent years. In 2016, authorities canceled the RK Nagar bypoll due to large-scale cash distribution. In 2019, the Election Commission postponed the Vellore Lok Sabha election after a similar gold seizure.
Political analysts say such cases show the deep-rooted use of money in state elections. Many believe it is time for strong electoral reforms.
Dr. A. Sreedharan, a Chennai-based analyst, said, “Even unproven allegations damage public trust. They also slow down any momentum a party may have built.”
Election Commission Responds
The Election Commission has ordered a detailed audit of campaign expenses in the affected districts. It is also reviewing how gold and valuables are tracked during elections.
Officials may introduce new rules. These could include GPS tracking, mandatory e-receipts, and stricter limits on high-value items in campaign materials.
What’s Next for BJP in Tamil Nadu?
This controversy may hurt BJP’s efforts to grow in Tamil Nadu. The party has struggled to make inroads in a region dominated by regional players.
If investigators confirm a link between the BJP leadership and the gold, it could cause long-term damage. The case could also spark fresh calls for transparency in election funding.
For now, Annamalai faces pressure not only from political opponents but also from voters watching closely.
