"BJP cannot stop us from doing work for the people": Tamil Nadu Minister EV Velu

Tiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu) [India], November 8 (ANI): In response to recent income tax raids at his residence, Tamil Nadu Public Works Department Minister EV Velu the BJP cannot deter them from serving the people.
"BJP cannot stop us from doing the work for the people by conducting an income tax audit. It was only because of the five-day raid by the Income Tax Department that you were able to freeze the work of the corporation and the government. The income tax department works as a team in the BJP..." he said.
Tamil Nadu Public Works Department Minister EV Velu said this while making a public statement here.
Further, he clarified his relationship with a trust, stating that his son Kumaran is the chairman and he himself has had no connection with it since 2006. He also affirmed his status as an income taxpayer and denied acquiring any land after his election to the assembly in 2021.
"My son Kumaran is the chairman of the trust; I have left the trust after taking over as food minister in 2006. I left the foundation and have no connection with the foundation... I have a house in Chennai and listed these as assets. After being elected as a member of the assembly in 2021 and taking office as a minister, not a single cent of land was brought to date. I am an income taxpayer," he said.
Income Tax conducted raids for the fifth consecutive day on the premises linked to Tamil Nadu Public Works and Highways Department Minister EV Velu at Tiruvannamalai on Tuesday.
The search operations were conducted at locations allegedly linked to the minister.
Earlier on Monday, I-T officers also conducted searches at EV Velu's son Kamban's residence in Thiruvannamalai. Kamban currently serves as the director of Arunai Medical College and Hospital in Thiruvannamalai.
The raids at Kamban's residence have been underway since Friday night, as per the sources.
A financier named Suresh is also under the IT scanner. IT sleuths conducted a search in Suresh's Finance Office in Gandhipuram and his residence at KVP Nagar.
IT raids were also conducted across various locations in Tamil Nadu related to contractors and suppliers of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) in relation to providing equipment.
Last week, raids were conducted at around 10 places in Chennai, including India Private Limited and Radha Engineering Works Private Limited.
In October, IT also searched multiple premises linked to DMK MP S Jagathrakshakan. IT officials raided over 40 locations, including the Arakkonam MP's residence in Adyar, his office, and some educational institutions, in connection with suspected tax evasion. (ANI)