Ministers hit back at Stalin’s graft allegations

Since his elevation as DMK president on August 28, Stalin has been making corruption charges against several ministers.

In the last one week, he has targeted Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani and Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar, whose father was implicated in a recent I-T department report for receiving cash from government job aspirants. 

Following Stalin’s accusation, leaders from other opposition parties have also targeted both the ministers and sought their resignation. 

Responding to Stalin’s allegation on irregularities in awarding the tender for procuring LED lights bulbs under the Smart City mission, Velumani said the State government had saved Rs 400 crore in electricity bill due to the LED lights.

Velumani also replied that unlike the DMK regime, the present government is strictly adhering to the e-tender method and that no favouritism was shown in the tender process. 

Vijaya Baskar too denied Stalin’s allegations and said that no cash was seized from his house. 

In the wake of the allegations, senior ministers in the State have extended their support to their embattled colleagues. 

Speaking to DTNext, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said that Stalin’s accusations are politically coloured and there is no proof for the allegations. 

“Stalin can make wild allegations at the ministers, but he needs to provide proof. Without proof, his statements are mere political statements which people will not take seriously,” said Jayakumar. 

Following Jayakumar, Revenue Minister RB Udhayakumar too attacked Stalin. “Asking Vijaya Baskar to resign is an act of political vendetta. DMK, which seeks resignation of the ministers over corruption cases, should have first followed the principle before asking others to follow their example,” he said.

Udhayakumar also said that the AIADMK government is faring better than DMK in all aspects of governance. “Stalin is not able to tolerate it. Due to that, he is making these wild allegations,” he added.