Days after properties belonging to sidelined AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala’s family were raided by Income Tax officials, an article in the party mouthpiece Namadhu MGR states that the Edappadi Palaniswami-government will be dismissed in a few days.
Headlined, “Is the Tamil Nadu government being dismissed?”, the article states that the Edappadi Palanisami (EPS) government will be dismissed by November 25or November 25 and that governor’s rule will be imposed in the state.
“It's also come to be known that corruption cases will be filed against Edappadi Palanisami, O Panneerselvam and 23 ministers. Details including the benami wealth of the ministers is in the hands of the governor,” alleges the article.
Suggesting that history is repeating itself, the article with no byline, points out that on January 31, 1976, the DMK government had been dismissed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on charges of corruption.
“At the time, senior IAS officers like RV Subramaniam and PK Deva were appointed as advisors to the governor. Likewise, Rajagopal and Somanathan have been appointed to advice the governor,” reads the article.
It concludes noting that the ruling faction of the AIADMK is in a state of shock and alleges that it “is busy hiding the evidence”.
Namadhu MGR, which is controlled by Vivek Jayaraman, who is Sasikala’s nephew, was one among 188 properties that came under the I-T scanner. Income Tax raids that began on November 9 went on for five days and covered properties such as Jaya TV, Jazz Cinemas as well as residences belonging to Sasikala’s family and associates.
At the time, sidelined AIADMK Deputy General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran had called the raids “politically motivated” and suggested that the BJP-led Centre wanted to remove his aunt Sasikala and him from politics.
Taking many AIADMK leaders by surprise and angering party loyalists, the I-T Department on Friday night widened its search, raiding late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence. Vivek, who was present during the search, later clarified to the media that they did not allow I-T officials to search Jayalalithaa’s room. He also stated that laptops, and pen drives as well as letters addressed to the late CM were seized by I-T sleuths.
Although an official I-T statement is yet to be released, reports suggest that the department has found undeclared wealth to the tune of Rs 1450 crore during the raids targeting Sasikala’s clan.