K. Annamalai Detained by Chennai Police Ahead of TASMAC Protest
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Synopsis
On March 17, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai was detained by Chennai Police while heading to a protest over alleged TASMAC corruption, as the BJP accuses the DMK of financial mismanagement involving Rs 1,000 crore.
Key Takeaways
- K. Annamalai detained prior to protest.
- Allegations of TASMAC corruption amounting to Rs 1,000 crore.
- Police prevented key BJP leaders from participating.
- Political tensions escalating between BJP and DMK.
- Enforcement Directorate's recent actions heighten allegations.
Chennai, March 17 (NationPress) The President of Tamil Nadu BJP, K. Annamalai, was apprehended by the Chennai Police on Monday while heading to a protest regarding alleged irregularities within the TASMAC.
The BJP had organized a demonstration outside the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) headquarters in Egmore to spotlight financial mismanagement estimated at Rs 1,000 crore.
Annamalai was intercepted by law enforcement approximately a kilometer from his home in Akkarai and was detained before reaching the protest location.
Earlier that day, senior BJP member and former Governor of Telangana and Puducherry, Tamilisai Soundararajan, was also taken into custody at her residence. The police established a heavy security presence around her home to avert her participation in the protest. A clash ensued between BJP supporters and police during her detention.
BJP MLAs Vanathi Srinivasan, the national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, and Saraswathi were also arrested near the State Secretariat. Additionally, BJP functionary Vinoj P. Selvam was detained in T. Nagar, along with several party workers in Taramani.
Police actions extended to arresting BJP members who had gathered at Rajarathinam Stadium with intentions to march toward the TASMAC office at the CMDA building in Egmore.
Following these arrests, Annamalai took to social media to criticize the police response, questioning the government's actions.
He stated, “Is it because we announced the protest democratically and in advance that you can take such cowardly actions? What will you do if we protest one day without prior notice?”
The BJP has persistently accused the ruling DMK of exploiting TASMAC revenues for political advantage.
Annamalai referenced the 2023 arrest of Senthil Balaji, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning a money laundering case.
He emphasized that after a year in custody, Senthil Balaji was reinstated with the same ministerial responsibilities, which he argued underscored the DMK’s dependence on TASMAC funds.
Recently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at the TASMAC headquarters, further escalating the BJP’s claims against the state government.
With the detention of senior BJP leaders and the party’s assertive approach on the matter, the political struggle surrounding the TASMAC corruption scandal is anticipated to intensify in the upcoming days.
