Explain reason behind Rao’s claim, Stalin tells Chief Minister

DMK treasurer and Opposition Leader MK Stalin said he had sought an explanation from Panneerselvam when the raids were being carried out at Rao’s house and office last week. “If the former Chief Secretary is in a position to claim that he is the Chief Secretary, then only the Chief Minister has to respond to that,” Stalin told reporters. 

Rama Mohana Rao, who is under I-T scanner, had earlier in the day said that the copy of the transfer order on his removal as Chief Secretary has not been handed over to him yet, and that therefore he continued as the topmost official of the state government. Asked if the BJP government at the Centre was ‘behind’ the raids, Stalin said it was up to the central government, BJP and I-T officials to clarify it.