The DMK on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar seeking action over the alleged participation of two private individuals in Cabinet meetings and the alleged attempt to poach two of its MLAs as part of what the party described as “horse-trading” to increase the ruling party’s strength in the Assembly.

The memorandum, submitted by DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi, the party’s legal adviser P. Wilson, MLA S. Austin and former MLA I. Paranthaman, alleged that the ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) had attempted to induce Mr. Austin and Veppanahalli MLA Srinivasan to join the ruling party.

Talking to reporters after meeting the Governor, Mr. Bharathi alleged that the TVK had approached Mr. Austin, who represents the Nagercoil constituency, with the promise of “a Ministry of his choice” if he resigned his Assembly seat and joined the party. “Mr. Srinivasan was offered ₹50 crore and the post of chairman of a government board,” he alleged.

Mr. Bharathi also alleged that two of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s associates — John Arokiasamy and Vishnu Reddy — had been participating in Cabinet meetings and intervening in government administration.

“They have been allotted rooms in the Secretariat. They also accompany Mr. Vijay on his tours and participate in government functions,” he alleged.

According to Mr. Bharathi, the Governor shared the view that private individuals could not participate in Cabinet meetings or discharge governmental functions. “His remarks give us hope that he will take action,” Mr. Bharathi said.

The DMK delegation also raised with the Governor the arrest of party MLA Anitha Radhakrishnan in connection with a defamation case, contending that arrests were not ordinarily made in such cases.

“The police interrogated him for five hours. Under the guise of interrogation, they attempted horse trading. Mr. Radhakrishnan himself has explained this in his interview,” Mr. Bharathi alleged.