CM must resign, says Stalin after CBI takes over graft probe

Hailing the court’s verdict, Stalin claimed that Palaniswami had given road project works valued at Rs 3,120 crore to companies linked to him.

Recalling the report submitted by the DVAC to the court, which stated that there was no evidence of corruption in the case, the DMK leader said, “Instead of ordering a normal investigation through the DVAC, he (Palaniswami) justified the tender process.”

“At this juncture, Palaniswami should resign immediately and give way for an independent investigation by the CBI,” he said. 

Urging the CBI not to delay its probe since there is a possibility of all evidences in the case being destroyed, Stalin said Governor Banwarilal Purohit must dismiss Palaniswami if the latter does not resign.

The demand for the CM’s resignation was shared by AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who termed the development a disgrace to the State. 

However, C Ponnaiyan, organising secretary of the ruling AIADMK, said that the party will appeal against the High Court’s verdict. “We will appeal against the verdict and prove that we are genuine,” Ponnaiyan told reporters.

Meanwhile, the DMK on Friday announced a meeting of its high-level executive committee on October 17 to deliberate about preparations for the Lok Sabha polls next year. The meet would be presided by Stalin at party headquarters ‘Anna Arivalayam,’ DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan said in a party release.

Earlier in the day, Tiruvadanai MLA Karunaas met Stalin and conveyed his gratitude for speaking out against his arrest last month.