The DMK on Friday lashed out at the Central Government over “searches” by Income Tax officials at the residence of party chief MK Stalin’s daughter Senthamarai in Chennai and alleged it has a “political objective.”
Stalin said while he would face “pressures,” cadres should continue to focus on field work to secure victory for the party in the April 6 Assembly polls.
In a statement, he cautioned partymen to not get diverted due to “diversionary” action like raids or “false propaganda” of the ruling AIADMK and its allies.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, saying “raiding the Opposition is BJP’s coping mechanism when facing electoral defeat.”
Addressing a poll campaign at Jayamkondam, Stalin said his party would not be frightened or worried by such searches.
“We will not be worried about it. Conduct more searches,” he said, adding his party would only be energised more by such raids.
He said he would not be cowed down and he had faced even the Emergency period (1975-77).
The Centre thought of confining them to their homes through searches when polls are all set to be held in a matter of few days. Such tactics would not succeed with the DMK men, he said.
Party general secretary Duraimurugan said when parties were on the verge of completing the campaign and looked forward to the day of polling, the income tax searches at the residence of Senthamarai, daughter of his party chief Stalin was done with a ‘political objective.’
Income tax officials neither confirmed nor denied the searches. Reportedly, similar searches were on in respect of other candidates as well.