Chennai:
DMK chief M Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin has said that the timing of the CBI searches at his residence in connection with alleged illegal import of cars suggests that the raids are linked to his party's decision to quit the Congress-led UPA government. "CBI action is political vendetta," he said.
The investigating agency searched the DMK leader's residence in Chennai this morning, just two days after his party quit the UPA over the government's refusal to take a strong stand against Sri Lanka at the UN's top human rights body in Geneva. It was reportedly Mr Stalin who pushed his father to quit the government in the midst of negotiations with the Congress.
"You see for yourself. The raids took place just two days after we quit the UPA. We will face it legally," Mr Stalin told reporters outside his house. Party leader TR Baalu also said that he was sure that the "raids are linked to the DMK exiting UPA alliance." TKS Elangovan, who is the party's spokesperson, added that "the Congress action is pure revenge." The CBI, he said, stands for "Congress Bureau of Investigation."
Sources in the CBI say the searches were conducted after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence complained that the DMK leader had not paid duty for imported cars owned by him.
Rejecting the DMK's charges, senior Congress minister P Chidambaram said he "strongly disapproved" the CBI action. "Whatever be the reason, I am afraid it is bound to be misunderstood. I have conveyed my view to the Minister incharge," he added.
The raid at Mr Stalin's house began around 6 am and continued for nearly three hours. Hundreds of party supporters had gathered outside Mr Stalin's house while the officers searched his residence.
The investigating agency also searched the residence of Mr Stalin's Secretary Raja Shankar.
Mr Karunanidhi's daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi is also being investigated by the CBI in connection with her alleged role in the 2G spectrum allocation scam. In 2011, she spent nearly six months in jail before being granted bail.