Chennai: The AIADMK leadership is livid over the PMK chief Dr S. Ramadoss's allegation that controversial film financier Anbu Chezhian was spotted in a family function of minister Sellur K. Raju and was closeted in a room with Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy and deputy CM O. Panneerselvam.
Slamming them both for hobnobbing with a "fugitive from law", the PMK leader in a statement here on Tuesday demanded their resignation.
"First of all, Anbu Chezhiyan is not a fugitive as he has obtained a court order staying the police probe into the charge that he was connected with the suicide of film producer Ashok Kumar. Secondly, Anbu is a district office-bearer in the AIADMK and so naturally would have been a guest at minister Raju's function", said a senior AIADMK leader, adding, "We are seriously contemplating legal action after discussing the issue with the CM and also legal experts".
In his statement, PMK chief Dr Ramadoss said it was baffling to see Palaniswami, Panneerselvam and almost the entire cabinet attending the function, though they did not rush to meet the victims of Cyclone Ockhi in Kanyakumari district last month.
"At the end of the event, according to reports, only Anbu Chezhian was allowed inside the room where Palaniswami and Panneerselvam had their lunch. What happened inside the room? There is no word on what transpired at the meeting?" he had said. Ramadoss alleged that Anbu Chezhian was a fugitive in the suicide case of Ashok Kumar.
"The Madras High Court did not stay (future) arrest of Anbu Chezhian and he continues to be an accused. One can see how the law and order situation is being put under the carpet when a minister invites an accused for his family function and above all, the CM and deputy CM interact with him", Ramadoss alleged.
