TASMAC 'scam': AIADMK questions role of Udhayanidhi’s 'friend' Ratheesh

A political storm is brewing in Tamil Nadu as the Opposition AIADMK has raised serious questions about an alleged Rs 1,000 crore liquor scam involving the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC).

Also read: Tasmac probe hits new milestone as ED questions Visakan

At the centre of the controversy is a man named Ratheesh, allegedly a close friend of Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, whose alleged WhatsApp conversations with TASMAC Managing Director (MD) S Visakan have sparked allegations of corruption and undue influence.

Ratheesh is said to be a childhood friend of Udhayanidhi. According to ED sources, Ratheesh is a significant figure in Udhayanidhi Stalin’s network, allegedly acting as a “shadow power centre”.

WhatsApp chat screenshots found

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has been investigating TASMAC for months, allegedly found printed WhatsApp chat screenshots near the MD’s residence in Chennai.

Also read: ED raids Tasmac MD’s residence, 11 other locations in Rs1,000-Cr liquor ‘scam’

AIADMK claimed that the chats, on January 7, 2024, revealed that Ratheesh was giving direct instructions to the TASMAC MD, including which liquor brands to purchase, such as 'Erica Platinum XO Brandy French' and 'Erica VSOP Premium XO Brandy', and how to manage tenders.

What AIADMK is asking

AIADMK demanded answers to several questions: Who is Ratheesh, and why does he have the authority to issue directives to the TASMAC MD? Is he acting as a mouthpiece for Udhayanidhi Stalin or another senior DMK leader?

Also read: ED raids linked to Tasmac case only to tarnish TN govt’s image: DMK

The party also claimed that Ratheesh sent a photo of the TASMAC MD with Udhayanidhi to the MD himself, questioning how a private individual wields such influence over a government official. “Is Ratheesh the new power centre in the DMK?” AIADMK further inquired about a mysterious “Sir” mentioned in the chats and their role in the alleged scandal.

Sources said he could not be traced when ED officials reached Ratheesh's residence in Chennai.

What ED probe said

The ED’s investigation into TASMAC allegedly uncovered evidence of tender manipulation, unaccounted cash transactions, and a shadow trade in liquor worth Rs 1,000 crore. The probe, which began earlier this year, led to raids on TASMAC employees, distilleries, and corporate offices. In April, the ED summoned TASMAC MD Visakan and other senior officials for questioning.

Also read: Madras HC seeks response on transfer of Tasmac corruption cases to CBI

The DMK, however, has strongly denied the allegations. Minister V Senthil Balaji, in a statement earlier this year, claimed that all TASMAC operations, including purchases and tenders, are conducted transparently. He accused the Opposition, including the BJP, of inflating the corruption narrative for political gains. The BJP has also been vocal about the TASMAC scam, with former state president K Annamalai leading protests in March, during which several leaders were detained.

TASMAC, which operates liquor shops across Tamil Nadu, has long been a major revenue source for the state government. However, it has also been a political battleground, with successive ruling parties accused of using it as a “cash cow” to fund electoral campaigns and party expenses.

According to an ED source, the current investigation consolidates 41 cases of corruption, 34 of which date back to the AIADMK’s tenure, while seven are linked to the DMK’s rule since 2021.