A contractor from Tiruchy district has accused the Manachallur MLA of demanding a bribe in order to grant him the tender to electrify the Samayapuram Mariamman temple. Manikandan, who has worked on several projects for the Public works department, has accused legislator Parameswari Murugan of asking for a 30% commission to award him the contract.
According to multiple media reports, the project worth Rs 22 lakh was given to Manikandan by the temple administration. But he was later told by authorities that he would have to talk to the MLA before the schedule for work is given. Manikandan alleges that he was told to pay the MLA a bribe and that it was only after this, that he could continue his work.
"They told me to go meet the MLA, pay 30% commission and then come back for the schedule," the contractor told the media. "When I refused they told me to call her," he added.
Manikandan has further released a recording of his alleged phone conversation with the MLA. During the call, the woman on the line who identifies herself as the MLA can be heard insisting that the contractor meet her, and questioned how he could take up the contract without her permission.
"It is a compromise tender not a competition tender. You can't just take the tender, you should have come met me before taking it up. You come in person and meet me," the alleged MLA can be heard saying.
Manikandan then says that he has been working with the PWD and does not see why he needs to meet the MLA.
But when the woman on the line insists, he says, "You give me my schedule first and then I will come meet you and give you how much ever you want. I have no problem. We have been working everywhere after giving what is necessary.”
When TNM attempted to contact the contractor, he was unwilling to comment on what seems to be compliance in giving the bribe.
The MLA in question meanwhile has, according to reports, denied that she spoke to the contractor.
In 2008, DMK Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna was caught in a similar situation, when her conversation with a vigilance officer was recorded. She was pleading with him to go soft of a relative who was accused of corruption.
The conversation between Poongothai and director of vigilance and anti-corruption SK Upadhyay, pertaining to a pending probe against her relative, was disclosed in the form of an audio CD. She resigned from her post soon after.