Income Tax department raids fail to prove allegations of DMK bribing voters

The Income Tax Department found only Rs 1.36 lakhs in cash after raiding DMK chief MK Stalin's daughter's residence in Chennai, reported NDTV. As per reports, nothing else was seized across the four premises belonging to Senthamarai and husband Sabareeshan, considered Stalin's close associate and help for the upcoming polls, raided yesterday. The money collected has also been returned after the family presented documents accounting for the money.

The department on Friday launched a series of raids targeting DMK on 28 premises, including those belonging to Senthamarai, Sabareeshan's associate Lotus Bala, DMK's Tiruvannamalai MP CN Annadurai, DMK MLA MK Mohan's son Karthick Mohan, and DMK leader Senthil Balaji. The raids were covered under Section 132 of the IT Act for allegedly helping in political cash distribution, reported The Indian Express. The raids follow Stalin's son Udayanidhi's allegations of an exponential rise in wealth for Home Minister Amit Shah's son Jay Shah on Thursday.

DMK has slammed raids and allegations as BJP's attempts to criminalise the party ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in the state and misuse of central agencies by the centre and AIADMK, its ally in the state. They also wrote to the Election Commission challenging the raids only days before the commencement of the elections.

Stalin himself challenged the raids while campaigning at an election rally, saying, "I am MK Stalin. This Stalin has faced Emergency and MISA. I won't be scared because of these IT raids. PM Modi should know that we aren't AIADMK leaders who prostrate themselves before him."

"Today morning, I came to Trichy from Chennai. I got news of a raid going on at my daughter's house in Chennai. The (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government is saving the AIADMK government now...I want to tell Modi that this is DMK, don't forget that I'm the son of Kalaignar (late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi). I will not be scared like this," he added, addressing a rally in Perambalur.

This is a second raid prior in the state prior to the assembly polls. Last month, DMK leader and candidate for Tiruvannamalai, EV Velu's residence, was raided by the Income-tax department. DMK allies Congress, the left, and other opposition parties, including CPM, Trinamool Congress, RJD, and VCK, condemned the raids.