TASMAC Scam: BJP’s Peaceful Protest Halted As Police Arrest K Annamalai, Tamilisai Soundararajan, and Other Leaders

Tamil Nadu Police arrested Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan, and many party functionaries on March 17. They were detained ahead of a protest against the alleged Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) Scam. A picketing protest outside the TASMAC headquarters was announced by the BJP in response to the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) recent allegations of irregularities worth Rs 1,000 crore. A huge ruckus was created by people outside her residence in Chennai.

#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

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Liquor Scam: ED Raids TASMAC, Minister Senthil Balaji Denies Rs 100 Cr Scam Allegations

Police deployment was seen outside her house. The BJP leader said that everyone has the right to protest against any issue. She said that the BJP planned a peaceful protest regarding the TASMAC scam. She alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had revealed irregularities worth Rs 1,000 crore in the TASMAC scam.

“But they have surrounded us. We don't fear such a type of custody. We will fight for the people,” she said.

On March 14, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai slammed State Minister V Senthil Balaji and called him the “kingpin” who is involved in every scam.

Annamalai claimed that this scam was over Rs 1000 crore. He also questioned the moral rights of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Leader Balaji as he continued serving as minister.

He said, "I have my sources. I believe (the corruption) is over a thousand crore (rupees). Senthil Balaji is involved in every single scam. He is the kingpin. The Supreme Court has questioned if he has the moral right to stay a Minister."

He also called Balaji a ‘liquor minister.’ He said that Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin made him minister as soon as he was released from jail. He alleged that this scam is bigger than the Delhi Liquor scam.