Where is CM Vijay? BJP demands answers as Rs 22 crore of govt funds siphoned off

The BJP on Tuesday targeted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay after more than Rs 22 crore was reportedly siphoned from Tamil Nadu government bank accounts. The party's State Secretary Vinoj P Selvam wrote on X, "Where is CM Vijay when the people of Tamil Nadu demand answers?"According to a report by Tamil news outlet, Dinamalar published on Monday, November 9, Rs 22.10 crore was allegedly siphoned from three Rural Development Department accounts.Accusing the TVK government of administrative negligence, Selvam questioned how cybercriminals could access multiple government accounts and transfer crores of rupees without triggering any security alarm, writing, "How did cybercriminals allegedly penetrate government payment systems? How were transactions worth crores executed? Where were the security checks, financial controls and monitoring mechanisms?"He also took aim at CM Vijay's legions of social media fans, stating that "an actor's fan club and its social media army have gone from trending hashtags to running a state government", adding that managing a state and "managing hashtags" were two "very different things". "This incident raises yet another set of serious questions about the Vijay-led TVK government's administrative oversight, accountability and preparedness," Selvam alleged, adding, "These are funds meant for rural development, essential services and public welfare. Money entrusted to the government for the benefit of ordinary citizens".He ended his post, stating, "Tamil Nadu needs transparent answers, stronger institutions and a government that can demonstrate its ability to safeguard public funds." 22.10 CRORE of public money allegedly siphoned off from Tamil Nadu Government bank accounts! 14 crore – Ramanathapuram 3.10 crore – Nagapattinam 5 crore – Tiruppur Three districts. Multiple government accounts. Crores of taxpayers' money allegedly stolen! ? ? This incident raises yet another set of serious questions about the Vijay-led TVK government's administrative oversight, accountability and preparedness. These are funds meant for rural development, essential services and public welfare. Money entrusted to the government for the benefit of ordinary citizens. How did cybercriminals allegedly penetrate government payment systems? How were transactions worth crores executed? Where were the security checks, financial controls and monitoring mechanisms? . ? Where is Chief Minister Vijay when the people of Tamil Nadu demand answers? There appears to be a worrying communication gap between the Chief Minister, his ministers and the public. Every political party in the world has an IT wing. But Tamil Nadu seems to have witnessed something extraordinary. For the first time, an actor's fan club and its social media army have gone from trending hashtags to running a state government! Unfortunately, managing hashtags and managing a state are two very different things. ! ! Chief Minister Vijay, your online supporters may have answers to every criticism. But when will the people of Tamil Nadu get answers from you? . ! . ! Tamil Nadu needs transparent answers, stronger institutions and a government that can demonstrate its ability to safeguard public funds.— Vinoj P Selvam (@VinojBJP) November 10, 2026WHAT ARE THE REPORTED CYBERFRAUD CASES CITED BY THE BJP IN TAMIL NADU?The Dinamalar report published on Monday put the siphoned amounts at Rs 14 crore from Mandapam Panchayat Union in Ramanathapuram district, Rs 3.10 crore from Nagapattinam district and Rs 5 crore from Dharapuram Panchayat Union in Tiruppur district, which were allocated for constructing rural health and wellness centres under the 15th Finance Commission grants.The Dinmalar report also said that investigators suspected the involvement of a Nigerian cybercrime gang in the case.A separate Indian Express Tamil report published on Tuesday, November 10, also reported on the alleged cyberfraud and the involvement of a Nigerian gang, but identified the third defrauded account as belonging to Tambaram, a major city in the Chengalpattu district, rather than Dharapuram in Tiruppur.The report stated that Chennai Cyber Crime Police were investigating the alleged fraud, examining the IP addresses used by the hackers, and the back accounts that received the siphoned funds.- Ends(Written by Shounak Sanyal)