We were offered crores of rupees, ministerial posts, but we stood by principles, claims IUML Vaniyambadi MLA

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Legislature Party Leader and Vaniyambadi MLA S.S.P. Syed Farooq Basha on Sunday claimed that after the recently held Assembly polls, IUML elected representatives “were offered crores of rupees and Cabinet berths (of their choice)” by key leaders of political parties but the party “strongly stood by its principles”.

Addressing the cadre and party functionaries at the district-level general body meeting in Tiruvannamalai, he said “known key leaders of political parties” came to him and A.M. Shahjahan, IUML MLA for Papanasam constituency, and “offered crores of rupees to support the party”.

Mr. Basha said they were also given their choice of Cabinet berths. “They thought the IUML could not resist such an offer, but we were not tempted. We stood by our principles. In such a scenario, we were invited and given Cabinet berths by the TVK,” he added.

He said they should be united in working with the ruling TVK in the upcoming elections to the local bodies for the party’s growth in the State. “As the ruling TVK gave Ministerial berths to the IUML after Assembly polls, the TVK will offer similar key posts to party functionaries of the IUML in rural and urban local bodies after elections are held for these civic bodies in the State,” Mr. Basha added.