CBI, ED action against P Chidambaram is political vendetta: M K Stalin

CHENNAI: DMK president M. K. Stalin on Thursday accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of pursuing political vendetta against Congress leader P. Chidambaram who is facing action of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the INX Media case.

The DMK chief who backed the former Union minister, facing action in a money laundering case related to INX Media, said, "I have clearly learnt that these (actions) are happening due to political vendetta…. Chidambaram is an expert in law and he will be able to come out of this situation legally."

Stalin, whose party has an alliance with Congress in Tamil Nadu, was responding to reporters at the DMK headquarters — Anna Arivalayam — on the ED which had also issued a lookout notice against Chidambaram on Tuesday evening shortly after teams of the probe agency went to the former finance minister's residence but could not find him.

The Congress party also defended Chidambaram and said he is one of the most respected and qualified leaders of the country. Its leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of using probe agencies and the media to "character assassinate" the former finance minister.

"P. Chidambaram is an extremely qualified and respected leader, he has served this nation with dedication and humility. We stand by his quest for truth no matter what," the Congress tweeted.

Chidambaram was unable to get immediate relief after a three-judge bench of the top court sent the file of Chidambaram's Special Leave Petition (SLP) seeking pre-arrest bail to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi for passing an order on the listing of the case.

To another question, Stalin replied, as many as 14 parties would take part in the protest in New Delhi to be held by DMK on Thursday, seeking the release of leaders under detention in Kashmir.