CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday launched a sharp attack on DMK over corruption and alleged hawala linked irregularities involving minister KN Nehru. He stated that AIADMK would return to power in the upcoming elections, recover funds allegedly sent abroad through hawala channels and utilise the reclaimed money to implement welfare schemes for the public.
Addressing an election campaign meeting in Ambattur as part of his ‘Makkalai Kaappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom’ yatra, Palaniswami accused the ruling dispensation of five years of “loot” and claimed that no tangible benefit has reached the public.
Responding to CM MK Stalin’s claim that he was not afraid of raids, Palaniswami alleged that Stalin was “blabbering out of fear” at a Madurai DMK meeting after the court directed registration of an FIR. “One minister, Senthil Balaji, was in jail for 453 days in connection with corruption in Tasmac. Now, the minister (Nehru) is facing allegations related to hawala transactions. Based on evidence found during raids, ED wrote to the DGP seeking registration of a case against the minister, but no action was taken. Following a petition filed by AIADMK, the court has now directed that an FIR be registered,” he said.
He further alleged that KN Nehru collected Rs 30-35 lakh as a bribe for each posting in the water supply department and took commissions on public works. He also claimed that Balaji had looted over Rs 24,000 crore through Tasmac shops.
Palaniswami also accused Stalin of “hiding” when he spoke for two-and-a-half hours in the Assembly, raising various issues. “As the chief minister, Stalin should have answered questions posed by me as the leader of the opposition. He has no substance or courage. He is only a puppet,” he said. Hitting back at Stalin for calling him a “traitor”, EPS accused the chief minister of betraying the people of Tamil Nadu by allowing drugs to proliferate in the state and pushing youngsters into addiction.
He also targeted DMK over an alleged kidney trafficking racket, claiming that organs were taken for money at a hospital run by a DMK MLA, and warned the public against seeking treatment at hospitals owned by party functionaries. Taking a swipe at the finance minister’s claim that poverty had been eradicated, EPS alleged that people were being forced to sell their kidneys due to economic distress.