Chennai: DMK working president M. K. Stalin on Monday called on Governor Banwarilal Purohit and petitioned him seeking a probe into the alleged corruption charges against Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, in the wake of recent I-T raids on SPK, a highways construction firm and its promoter Nagarajan Seyyadurai.
In a two-page petition, Stalin accused Palaniswami of 'Himalayan corruption' and 'gross misappropriation of public funds for his personal gain' and requested the Governor to take action to initiate a CBI probe into the 'mega-scams' by the council of ministers under AIADMK government.
The searches last week, had led to a seizure of Rs 180 crores unaccounted cash and more than 105 kg of gold.
The ruling AIADMK has dismissed the charges as “baseless and unfounded.”
In the memorandum, Stalin, alleged that contracts running into crores of rupees have been awarded “unlawfully” to this firm and two other companies. These three firms were “controlled by persons who have close connections,” with Mr Palaniswami, Stalin alleged, citing a complaint filed with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption by his party leader R. S. Barathi on June 13 demanding action against the chief minister on the issue. He urged Mr Purohit to take action against the CM under the PCA on alleged unlawful award of contracts.
“Thiru Edappadi K. Palaniswami has, with an ulterior motive, ensured that the Ministry of Highways and Minor Ports continued to be under his effective control over the past seven years and has earned pecuniary advantage to a very great extent by misusing his office entrusted to him as the Minister for Highways and also as the Chief Minister,” the memorandum said.
“We are confident that governor Purohit would take action. In case if he hesitates or does not take appropriate action, we will approach the court and we have made this clear to him,” Mr Stalin said.
Mr Purohit had assured the DMK delegation-led by him to forward the memorandum to departments and officials concerned and the Union Home ministry as well, Mr Stalin said.
