Opposition leader M.K. Stalin on Thursday urged the Income Tax Department to prepare a list of politicians, Vice-Chancellors, officials, public servants and businessmen who had come under its scanner in recent months in Tamil Nadu and send it to either the CBI or the DVAC for further action.
“Any delay in doing this will lead to irreparable damage to the reputation of the raids conducted by the I-T Department [on the premises of these people],” he said in a statement.
He said there was a question in the minds of the people whether these were “honest raids”.
“What is the objective of these raids? If the I-T Department, under the control of the BJP government, conducts raids against AIADMK Minsters without any further action, it will not be an honest political path. The Centre has a duty to clear the doubts of the people,” Mr. Stalin said.
He said though Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami had broken his silence over the raids at the houses and offices of his relatives and partners, he had not explained why tenders were awarded only to his relatives.
“The Chief Minister has claimed that I-T raids would happen if the companies had not filed I-T returns. How could the I-T raids unearth ₹180 crore even though the Highways Department made payment only through cheques? The Chief Minister should offer a proper reply,” he said.
