Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has lashed out at the Enforcement Directorate and accused it of implementing the agenda of the Government after officials raided the firms allegedly linked to his son, Karti Chidambaram.
In a statement to the media, P. Chidambaram said that the Government must target him directly, if they wish to do so. He also said that the Government must not ‘harass friends of my son who carry on their own businesses and have nothing to do with politics.’
“We have made it clear, repeatedly, that no member of my family has any equity or economic interest in any of the firms that are being targeted. They are companies that are professionally managed and are capable of answering any questions that may be put to them by the authorities. I condemn the attempt to link them to my son and harass them on that ground,” he said.
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He also charged that the officer of the Enforcement Directorate was misusing his powers.
“The agenda of the Government is being implemented by an officer of the Enforcement Directorate who has a pending dispute with the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. Orders in his case were apparently passed during the term of my predecessor. He met me and wanted me to intervene in his favour. I declined and I told him that I cannot reverse orders that were issued during the term of my predecessor. The change of Government has given him an opportunity to misuse his powers to harass my son and his friends,” he said.
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Mr. Chidambaram said that he and his family are prepared to face the raids. “My family and I are quite prepared to face the malicious onslaught launched by the Government.”