Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Working President MK Stalin on Monday submitted a memorandum to Governor Banwarilal Purohit demanding an investigation into claims that the Tamil Nadu chief minister illegally allotted contracts to a construction firm.
The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam refuted the allegations against Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and described them as “baseless and unfounded”, PTI reported.
Stalin cited the raids conducted by the Income Tax department as part of its investigation into a highway construction firm for allegedly evading tax worth over Rs 160 crore. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam said the state government had violated the law by assigning contracts to three firms “controlled by persons who have close connections” with Palaniswami.
The DMK leader asked the governor to ensure that the chief minister is penalised under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Stalin cited a complaint filed by DMK leader RS Barathi with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption on June 13 that accused the chief minister of graft. The Opposition party also accused state ministers of “indulging in corruption in their respective portfolios in implementing various centrally sponsored schemes”.
Stalin said his party will move court if the governor fails to initiate an investigation. “We are confident that the governor will take action,” he added. The leader of the Opposition said the governor has assured them of forwarding their complaints to the departments concerned.
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