Chennai: Senior Congress leader B. Manickam Tagore has come out in support of TVK MLA Arul Vignesh, who is facing allegations of sending objectionable and harassing messages to a female district collector in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Manickam Tagore categorically stated that the allegations against the Kallakurichi MLA have not yet been substantiated by any investigation. He emphasized that conducting a media trial of a public representative based solely on messages circulating on social media and WhatsApp is completely unjustified.
Addressing reporters at Satyamurti Bhavan, the party’s state headquarters in Chennai, Manickam Tagore said that all facts and evidence should be objectively verified before reaching any conclusions. He added that Arul Vignesh should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Tagore expressed concern over the public’s tendency to rush to judgment based on unverified and unsubstantiated information. He maintained that it was the MLA’s responsibility to respond to the allegations and stressed that it would be unfair to declare anyone guilty without following due process of law.
However, Congress MP S. Jothimani offered a different perspective on the controversy. Jothimani stated that if the serious allegations against the MLA are found to be true following an investigation, strict action should be taken against him in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have intensified their criticism of Kallakurichi MLA Arul Vignesh, accusing him of sending obscene messages to a female district collector and allegedly arriving at her office in an intoxicated state. The MLA has categorically denied these allegations.
The controversy has sparked a political debate, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and a thorough investigation into the allegations.
Meanwhile, the ruling TVK has called an emergency meeting of all party MLAs and senior officials to discuss recent controversies involving its representatives. The meeting is expected to address the allegations against Arul Vignesh, as well as a separate controversy involving Thuraiyur MLA and party Vice President M. Ravishankar.
Ravishankar is facing allegations of assault following the circulation of a video on social media that purportedly shows him misbehaving with a local resident who had raised a public issue. The video has triggered political controversy and prompted demands for an explanation.
Reiterating his position, Manickam Tagore cautioned against drawing conclusions or making political accusations based on unverified messages and viral social media content. He emphasized that allegations against elected representatives must be examined through a fair and impartial investigation rather than through public speculation or media trials.
