Chennai: The government seems to have calmed DMK chief Karunanidhi, who gave a toned down reaction to the CBI raids at his son MK Stalin's residence on Thursday morning. Karunanidhi said the raids may or may not be political vendetta, and even indirectly went on to say that the raids may have been political vendetta by the Tamil Nadu government headed by Jayalalithaa and not the Centre.
"I don't want to speculate if central ministers have said they were not aware of raids. Political vendetta happens not only in center but state also," Karunanidhi said in his statement.
This came after strong reactions came from the UPA disapproving the raids. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was upset with the CBI raid and questioned MoS PMO V Narayanasamy.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram also said he disapproved of the CBI raids on DMK leader and Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin as it is bound to be misunderstood. Speaking to CNN-IBN, Chidambaram said, "I strongly disapprove of the action by the CBI. It will be misunderstood. I have spoken to the minister concerned."
MK Stalin's house was searched by the CBI in Chennai in connection with alleged illegal import of cars worth Rs 20 crore. Calling it political vendetta, Stalin said, "I am being targeted. It is quiet clear, why I am being targeted. We will face the case legally. I am unaware of the reasons for the CBI raid."
The CBI raids come two days after the DMK pulled out of UPA government and the party questioned the timing of the raids. DMK leader TKS Elangovan said this showed that the UPA government uses CBI for its benefit. "This only justifies the charge by Opposition that the government uses CBI for their benefit and to put pressure on other political parties. But we're not bothered, not afraid of all these raids. We have noithing to hide," said Elangovan.
One of the illegally imported cars was allegedly being used by Stalin's son and the CBI is trying to verify the details. A case has been registered by the investigative agency but its still unclear who has been named.
The raids at Chennai residence of M Karunanidhi's younger son and heir apparent were carried out on the basis of a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) complaint regarding a case involving illegal car import.
Calling the raids a political vendetta, DMK leader TR Baalu said, "One can understand how the Congress government is working, how are they behaving. This is only political vendetta. Let the CBI do anything, we don't bother. One has to understand how the Congress has stooped down to this level."
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