We The Leaders founder K. Annamalai said on Sunday (August 16, 2026) that some Ministers in the TVK-led government had demanded a cut ranging from 2% to 4%. But he did not name anyone. He also claimed to have an “audio” (clip) to prove his charge.

“They say corruption has stopped. We have been watching, and it has started again. It is true that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is against corruption. They are not getting it in major tenders. Many Ministers have just now started receiving. I even have the audio [clip]. They have come [elected] without giving money for votes. ‘[But they are saying] We have given money for votes. So, give me 2%, 3%, 4%’,” Mr. Annamalai said, speaking at a meeting of his supporters in Chennai.

According to him, he was bringing it to the notice of Mr. Vijay now “before we rake up this issue after a year”.

‘A revolution has taken place’

Mr. Annamalai urged the Chief Minister to “bridle” his Ministers and officials. As for the functioning of the TVK government, he said, “Whether the people like it or not, a revolution has occurred in Tamil Nadu after so long. A Chief Minister has come to power. I keep saying, ‘let us give them a year’. Of the 108 MLAs, 101 are first-time MLAs.”

“Let us give them a year and let them do their job. If they do not do their job well, we will be the first one to level charges against them. They are doing something right and something wrong. When we point out the mistakes, they have corrected them too. We check the functioning of the government and give them reports. When we point out how many Tasmac shops are still within 500 metres [of educational institutions and places of worship] and they take action. I would definitely appreciate it. It is a good political approach,” Mr. Annamalai said.

Pointing out that the 2026 Budget sought to save ₹15,000 crore, he urged Mr. Vijay to earmark ₹5,000 crore each for three priorities: protecting waterbodies in rural areas; improving the infrastructure at government schools; and developing rural areas.

Referring to the criticism that he was the BJP’s B Team, Mr. Annamalai said, “[Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader] Amit Shah asked me to shift to Delhi and get a post. When he said I should be in Delhi for about three years, I said it would not work for me and I would remain in Tamil Nadu. Let me stay here with my friends and serve the people.” If the BJP workers did not believe it, they could check it out with Mr. Shah when he visited the State next.

‘Modi is a honest man’

Recalling that when he was the BJP Tamil Nadu president, he had staged a protest against the Karnataka unit of the national party, Mr. Annamalai said he would always stand for the welfare of Tamil Nadu. “Even now, I believe [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi is a honest man, who has not done anything wrong. So, you should bring together the Chief Ministers of both States and find a solution [to the Cauvery water dispute].”

Political leaders could not sit in Delhi and take decisions on matters concerning Tamil Nadu or they could not sit in a house in Chennai and take decisions for the entire State, he said. “Leaders should be in every village and should take decision on matters concerning that village. Gone are the days when decisions were taken from Fort St. George or Poes Garden or Panaiyur on the East Coast Road or Gopalapuram.”