Only Centre, OPS can answer Rao's charges, says MK Stalin

Chennai: Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Tuesday asked the BJP and its government at the centre, besides Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam to answer the allegations made by former Chief Secretary Rama mohana Rao.

Reacting to a query by reporters if the BJP government is behind the I-T raids in the residence and Secretariat office of Ramamohana Rao, the DMK treasurer said for all the questions, the central government, BJP and I-T department should give the answers.

Referring to Ramamohana Rao's assertion that he is still the Chief Secretary, Stalin said the Chief Minister should come out with an answer when a former Chief Secretary is claiming that he is still the Chief Secretary.

To a question why the former Chief Secretary is thanking a few AIADMK partymen while alleging that the state government is reluctant to protect the Secretariat, Stalin said the media should ask those questions to the Chief Minister. “For the last five years, you were not able to meet former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and question her. At least now you meet Panneerselvam, seek explanations and carry them to the people”, he said.

Asked about Rao’s remarks that CRPF would not have entered the Secretariat complex if  Jayalalithaa was the CM and there is a threat to his life, Stalin said though I-T department comes under the Centre, it has separate rules and powers.

IT raids had been conducted at the offices of a few central government officials too, he pointed out and added that the IT officials and central ministers had claimed that the raids were based on appropriate evidence. There are reports that raids were conducted since there was evidence, Stalin said and recalled that he had wanted a statement from the Chief Minister during the raids itself.