Complaint of horse trading against Mannan only to hide TVK govt.’s failures: Sellur Raju

Former AIADMK Minister Sellur K. Raju An innocuous remark made by former Madurai Mayor P.M. Mannan during a friendly chat over phone with TVK MLA V.M.S Mustafa had been used to foist a case for attempted “horse trading” against him only to divert the attention of the people from the failures of the TVK government, said former AIADMK Minister Sellur K. Raju.After meeting Mr. Mannan, who was taken into the custody of the Central Crime Branch police for interrogation here on Friday, Mr. Raju said both Mr. Mustafa and Mr. Mannan were close friends.During a phone call, pointing to some reels found in social media, Mr. Mannan had spoken about the MLA’s confidant, Kaniraja, making bargains with TVK cadre in connection with filling up party posts in 22 wards of Madurai Central Assembly constituency.“Mr. Mustafa had told the former Deputy Mayor that he would call him back as he was travelling in a train. This is all the conversation they had and a case has been foisted against Mr. Mannan for attempted horse trading to topple the TVK government,” Mr. Raju said.Taking a dig at the Vijay government, Mr. Raju said the government itself was formed through horse trading. MLAs were lured with sweet talk of offering the posts of Ministers.“AIADMK and its general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami have no intention to topple the government by buying (ruling party) MLAs. The government will fall on its own administrative failures,” he said.Mr. Raju went on to say that Mr. Mustafa was not a honourable person. He had not even denied the content of a leaked audio clipping, in which Kaniraja was heard demanding money to fill up party posts.This was only an attempt to hide the failures of the TVK government like spiralling prices of essential commodities and protests.Mr. Raju also questioned the urgency shown by Madurai City Police in hurriedly picking up Mr. Mannan in the small hours of Friday.The Assistant Commissioner of Police, CCB, in his summon, dated November 5, had asked Mr. Mannan to appear at the CCB office at 10 a.m. on November 7. “He is neither a terrorist nor a drug smuggler [like a TVK cadre], but he was picked up on November 6 itself. Mr. Mannan had served the people (when he was the Deputy Mayor). If they think they can belittle the AIADMK, it is will not work,” Mr. Raju added. Published - November 06, 2026 08:39 pm IST