The Income Tax (IT) Department raided at least 20 places in Chennai, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram and Madurai in connection with money distribution ahead of the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
The IT cell undertook the raids acting on information received in the Election Commission IT complaint cell. The IT Department, under the Election Commission, had opened a cell to receive information against money distribution, money laundering and such ahead of the polls. A leading bullion trader in Tamil Nadu and a large jewellery retailer came under the IT radar. Searches have as of now uncovered hidden profits of more than Rs 1000 crore and Rs 1.2 crore in unaccounted cash, which has been confiscated.
Earlier this week, election flying squads, constituted to curb distribution of liquor to voters and monitor bulk sale of alcohol ahead of the assembly elections, sealed 18 bars and several houses functioning as illegal liquor outlets across the state.
Meanwhile, ASP Jani Rani, former president of Tamil Nadu Mahila Congress (TNMC) claims that money power is the sole criteria to be a Congress candidate.
“I have been an Indian National Congress loyalist all along and belong to a traditional Congress family. My grandmother AS Ponnammal was elected as MLA seven times, of which five times was from Nilakottai. Yet the TNCC did not deem it fit to field me in the same constituency where I have worked for the last seven years,” said Jansi Rani in a tweet. “I have always felt the approach of TNCC president was discriminatory. He had proved it this time by asking if I have money to spend for elections. Is money power the only criteria to be a Congress candidate?”.
She added that all efforts of Rahul Gandhi to rebuild the party in Tamil Nadu will only go in vain.
“Does not my labour and background count? It is sad that all efforts of our leader Rahul Gandhi to rebuild the party in Tamil Nadu will only go in vain,” she tweeted.
The assembly elections in Tamil Nadu will be held in a single phase on April 6 and the counting of votes on May 2.