Chennai, September 5 (Daily Kiran) : The political climate in Tamil Nadu intensified following vigilance raids on properties linked to former municipal administration minister K.N. Nehru. DMK’s Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi strongly criticized the ruling TVK government for what she described as the misuse of government agencies to intimidate political opponents.
Kanimozhi asserted that the DMK would not be cowed by these raids, threats, or political pressure, vowing to confront the actions both politically and legally. She claimed that the raids reflect the government’s attempt to target opposition leaders rather than address issues concerning the people of Tamil Nadu.
These comments came in response to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) conducting simultaneous searches at 19 locations associated with Nehru, his brother K.N. Ravichandran, and others in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli. In Chennai, the vigilance teams searched Nehru’s residence in Alwarpet, Ravichandran’s home in R.A. Puram, and an office linked to Nehru in Adyar. Additional searches occurred in various neighborhoods, including Mylapore and Anna Nagar.
In Tiruchirappalli, DVAC officials arrived early in the morning at Nehru’s home in Thillai Nagar for thorough inspections. Police were deployed around the properties as DMK supporters gathered outside, chanting slogans against the government. The raids are reportedly connected to allegations of irregularities during Nehru’s tenure in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.
Investigators have accused officials of manipulating contracts for road construction, sanitation projects, and other civic initiatives, allegedly demanding commissions from contractors. Transactions exceeding ₹1,000 crore are under scrutiny, with claims of misconduct in the recruitment and transfer of over 2,500 positions within the department.
The DVAC had previously registered a case based on evidence related to the alleged transactions. However, details regarding any documents, cash, or other materials discovered during the raids have not yet been disclosed.
DMK President M.K. Stalin condemned the raids, labeling them politically motivated. He emphasized that the party and Nehru would respond to these actions through legal channels, asserting that such measures would not intimidate the DMK. The raids and the sharp political reactions have further escalated tensions between the ruling TVK and the main opposition party, the DMK.
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