Tiruvannamalai: In a development, raids have been conducted by the Income Tax department at multiple locations, in Tamil Nadu. These raids are linked to EV Velu, a leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, and also a key member of the MK Stalin-led cabinet. EV Velu currently holds portfolios within the state government, serving as the minister for works, highways and minor ports.
These searches were carried out at over 40 places across Tamil Nadu, including Velu’s hometown in Tiruvannamalai. The operation encompassed residences, offices and educational institutions such as Arunai Engineering College, which happens to be owned by Minister Velu. Moreover, contractors associated with the Public Works Department (PWD) were also subject to scrutiny from the Income Tax department.
It is worth mentioning that EV Velu has had an association with Chief Minister MK Stalin and was previously the food minister in the DMK cabinet from 2006 to 2011. This connection has brought attention to these investigations.
Significantly this is not an incident as Velu becomes the senior DMK leader to undergo raids conducted by federal agencies in recent months.
One of his cabinet members, V Senthil Balaji, is currently being held at Puzhal Central Prison. He is facing charges, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as filed by the Enforcement Directorate. Additionally, the state’s higher education minister K Ponmudy was questioned by the ED after raids were conducted. Moreover month Arakkonam MP S Jagathrakshagan faced a raid by the Income Tax department.
In light of these investigations, many of Velu’s cabinet colleagues have come forward to show their support, for him. Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Chief Minister’s son and the Minister for Sports, commented, “I-T and ED are arms of the BJP. Their actions have escalated in recent months, but we will address these issues through legal means.”
Senior DMK leader and Minister for Water Resources, S Durai Murugan, downplayed the significance of the frequent raids against the DMK, characterizing them as political theater by the Union government. Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, Mano Thangaraj, asserted, “It’s a political drama by the Union government.”
Check here for the latest updates in Hindi!