SHILLONG, July 17: The use of “Meghalaya Project” as the code name for an alleged multi-crore political conspiracy in Tamil Nadu has directly tarnished the name and reputation of Meghalaya and its people, dragging the peaceful hill state into an ugly bribery scandal thousands of kilometres away.
Police say the “Meghalaya Project” was a carefully planned operation designed to influence nearly 15 legislators of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) through cash inducements.
The objective: force them to vote against the government during a proposed no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker and thereby destabilise the elected dispensation.
The case was triggered by a complaint from TVK MLA N. Elaiyaraja (Uthangarai). He alleged that Thirunavukkarasu, a YouTuber from Arumbakkam who runs the opinion-poll organisation IPDS, and several others offered him Rs 35 crore to vote as instructed. When he refused, Elaiyaraja and his family were subjected to criminal intimidation.
Investigators claim Thirunavukkarasu and his associates formalised the entire operation under the code name “Meghalaya Project”.
Digital evidence later recovered during the probe showed that Vijayan, senior news editor of Puthiya Thalaimurai Television, had exchanged “objectionable electronic communications” with the arrested YouTuber and stayed in contact with him throughout the period of the alleged conspiracy.
Vijayan was summoned and examined for two full days on July 15 and 16. His mobile phone has been seized and sent for cyber forensic analysis. He has been directed to appear again whenever required.
The Chennai Press Club condemned the action as “oppressive” and an attack on freedom of expression. It urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to intervene immediately, ensure the return of the journalist’s phone, and stop the practice of using investigations to intimidate media persons. (With PTI inputs)
