Hours after minister V Senthil Balaji was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Tamil Nadu minister Ponmudi on Wednesday, termed it a "revengeful act" and said that the centre is doing wrong against states where there is a non-BJP government.
DMK minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "Senthil Balaji is undergoing treatment. We will deal with it legally. We are not afraid of the threatening politics of the BJP-led central government".
The action came after ED sleuths concluded their day-long raids at the DMK leader's Karur residence and his office at the state secretariat in connection to an alleged money laundering case.
"BJP's misuse of central agencies to harass and intimidate the opposition continues unabated. Strongly condemn the ED raids against Thiru V Senthil Balaji, Tamil Nadu's Electricity Minister. Blinded by political vendetta, the BJP is causing irreversible damage to our democracy," said Delhi's
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the 'Bhoomi pooja' of Lord Shri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.
Nine more DMK supporters were arrested at Karur for preventing IT officials from doing their duty, informed the police, adding that a total of 19 persons have been arrested in the matter, so far.
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai on Friday slammed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) accusing it of "manhandling officials and vandalising vehicles" during the income tax raids in the state.
As per sources, the raids were done in around 40 locations at residences and offices of various Government contractors who have alleged links with State Minister Senthil Balaji.