DMK slams ruling party over DVAC raids, calls it political revenge

The opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of using the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) for political retribution. The accusation follows searches conducted at the residences of former minister EV Velu and 10 officials who served the highways department in 2022.

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It is solely based on the questions I asked him that day, they have conducted a raid at my residential properties. It is only for political revenge against me that they are doing this.

EV Velu asserted that the raids were a direct consequence of his challenging the newly appointed chief minister, C Joseph Vijay, in the assembly. Velu recounted that he demanded proof for "baseless allegations" made by the chief minister during a discussion on the Governor's address. He claimed the assembly speaker denied him permission to speak, leading the DMK to walk out. "It is solely based on the questions I asked him that day, they have conducted a raid at my residential properties. It is only for political revenge against me that they are doing this," Velu stated.

Velu, a senior DMK leader, expressed defiance, stating that the party would not be intimidated as it has a history of facing severe actions like the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). He affirmed his intention to prove his innocence in court, emphasizing that repeating a lie does not make it true.

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You can conduct raids, you can file cases, there is a court of law. The court is our ultimate hope and I will definitely prove that I am innocent in the Court. I have done nothing wrong and repeating a lie multiple times does not make it as truth.

Countering the DMK's claims, TVK minister A Rajmohan denied any political vendetta, insisting the DVAC action was based on "proper grounds and evidence." He urged Velu to face the situation legally and with courage. "When a department takes action regarding an unrelated complaint received against him, he claims that it was done out of revenge. This cannot be done without a proper basis. He is caught with solid evidence," Rajmohan added.

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We have not engaged in any political vendetta. This action has been taken based on proper grounds and evidence. One must face this with courage. Face it legally.

The DVAC registered a case against Velu, 10 highway engineers, divisional accountants, and a private contractor for alleged involvement in a multi-crore road construction fraud. The FIR specifically names Velu and others for their purported roles in the alleged scam.

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When a department takes action regarding an unrelated complaint received against him, he claims that it was done out of revenge. This cannot be done without a proper basis. He is caught with solid evidence.