Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami and his cabinet should resign forthwith to allow an independent probe into allegations that they were deputed to distribute money for votes in poll-pound R K Nagar constituency, PMK founder S Ramadoss said on Sunday.
In a statement a day after the I-T department leaked documents that suggest '89 crore was distributed among voters in RK Nagar, Mr Ramadoss also questioned the Election Commission's "silence" on the sensitive issue despite "clinching evidence" in the form of documents that money was indeed distributed among voters.
"The Chief Minister and ministers have lost their right to continue in their posts since they have distributed cash for votes by violating the Constitution of India.
They can be sent to one year in jail or can be imposed fine or both for this act under 171 (E)&(F). As the first step, a case can be filed against them," Mr Ramadoss said.
Contending that the I-T department raided the residences and premises owned by Health Minister C Vijayabaskar based on a tip-off from the Election Commission, Mr Ramadoss wondered why the poll agency was silent on the issue.
Polls in Thanjavur and Aravakurichi were cancelled immediately after allegations of widespread use of money was reported there in May 2016, Mr Ramadoss recalled and said, "It is surprising why the EC has not acted so far while the magnitude of the allegation this time is stronger. Why is the Election Commission takthe timetime to act?"
"When Indira Gandhi was disqualified for using a government official in poll duty, why action is not being taken against the Chief Minister and ministers who have been shirking official responsibilities for the past few weeks and camping in RK Nagar?" Mr Ramadoss asked.
He also said the Election Commission should book the Chief Minister and ministers under the relevant section of the Representation of People's Act, the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
