Chennai: The chorus for a detailed statement from Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam on I-T raids at the residence of former chief secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao grew louder on Sunday with VCK and CPM demanding that the Tamil Nadu Government clear the air over the issue that has created ripples in political circles.
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, speaking to reporters at the Coimbatore airport, said the AIADMK government should also clarify whether the Union Government was interfering in the affairs of the state administration, while G. Ramakrishnan of the CPI (M) wanted the Chief Minister to come out with a detailed statement.
On Friday, leader of Opposition M. K. Stalin had raised the demand for an explanation from the Chief Minister on the development that led to the I-T raids since the episode brought a “shame” to Tamil Nadu.
“I-T raids are common and the I-T department is entitled to raid anyone against whom they have some information. But it is the Tamil Nadu Government which has to clarify whether there is any interference from the Union Government in the administration or the I-T raids are normal,” Mr Thirumavalavan said.
He also demanded a detailed statement from Mr Panneerselvam on the entire episode of the raids against Mr Rao and his relatives.
Mr Ramakrishnan, chief of the Tamil Nadu unit of CPI (M), questioned the silence of the Chief Minister on the raids at the office of the then chief secretary at Fort St George, the seat of the Tamil Nadu Government, even five days after the incident.
“The Chief Minister has not come out in the open about the I-T raids at the residence of the then Chief Secretary. We really don’t know why the Chief Minister is silent? He has to clarify and come out with a detailed statement on the episode,” he said.
