Synopsis
Chennai, March 13 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, alleging attempts to distract from ED raids on TASMAC. He raised concerns about corruption and called for accountability from the DMK government, urging public support for the BJP's campaign against corruption.Key Takeaways
- Annamalai accuses CM Stalin of distraction tactics.
- ED raids uncover Rs 1,000 crore in kickbacks.
- Call for accountability from the DMK government.
- BJP protests planned outside TASMAC headquarters.
- Financial irregularities and corruption highlighted.
Chennai, March 13 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai on Thursday accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of attempting to divert public attention from the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids involving the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the state's Excise Minister V. Senthil Balaji, and various liquor-supplying companies.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Annamalai remarked, "The ED has uncovered documentation from distilleries tied to the creation of unaccounted cash totaling Rs 1,000 crore, which was allegedly disbursed as kickbacks. The DMK has been exploiting the common man to fill its party coffers by manipulating the system, and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is obligated to clarify who benefited from these kickbacks."
With the ED alleging financial misconduct amounting to Rs 1,000 crore within the state-run TASMAC, the State BJP President questioned CM Stalin's moral authority to remain in office.
He emphasized that the Chief Minister must address the allegations and take accountability for the corruption present within TASMAC.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer-turned-politician, called on the people of Tamil Nadu to support the BJP's campaign against what he labeled the "corrupt DMK government".
The Tamil Nadu BJP has also declared a protest outside the TASMAC headquarters in Chennai on March 17.
The BJP leader previously claimed that the liquor scandal, which had previously resulted in government shifts in Delhi and Chhattisgarh, has now impacted Tamil Nadu following the ED's raids at the TASMAC headquarters.
He alleged that the DMK government, via a flawed procurement strategy, siphoned off at least Rs 1,000 crore and redirected these funds for election expenses in 2024 and 2026.
On Thursday, the ED issued a statement detailing its findings from the March 6 raids conducted at TASMAC offices, residences of employees, and corporate distilleries.
The central agency disclosed that numerous irregularities were identified in TASMAC's operations, including tender manipulation and unaccounted cash transactions amounting to Rs 1,000 crore through distillery companies.
The ED stated that its investigation provided solid evidence of corrupt practices within TASMAC, confirming that kickbacks were connected to liquor dealings in Tamil Nadu.
Since TASMAC has a monopoly over liquor sales in the state, the ED's findings have raised significant concerns regarding financial mismanagement and corruption within the Tamil Nadu government.
As the political conflict escalates, the BJP is preparing to intensify its protests, demanding transparency and accountability from the ruling DMK.
