Tamil Nadu: After Boycotting Assembly Session, AIADMK's Palaniswami Alleges DMK Of Political Vendetta

Opposition parties stage protest outside the Tamil Nadu Assembly claiming that the DMK government has filed fake case against opposition leader Edapaddi Palaniswami in connection with Kodanad issue

Chennai: Oppostion parties -- AIADMK, BJP and PMK -- stages a protest against DMK as they walk out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly claiming that the ruling government has filed fake case against former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami in connection with Kodanad issue. The AIADMK leaders staged a sit-in outside the state Assembly.

Speaking to media while protesting outside the assembly, Palaniswami said, "The DMK government is crushing the opposition by making false allegations and misusing the power without fulfilling the promises made to the people, without finding a solution to the problems of the people."

"We will prove that AIADMK is a part that works tirelessly in the service of people despite not being in power," Leader of Opposition Palaniswami added.

What is Kodanad issue?

In 2017, Sayan and nine others were accused of burglary-cum-murder case, at former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's Kodanad Estate Bungalow. Although he was granted bail two months after his arrested in 2017, he told reporters that the then CM Palaniswami was involved in the crime. Cut to 2019, the then opposition leader MK Stalin, made statements in his election campaigns at various constituencies accusing CM Palaniswami of being involved in the case. In a hearing in 2019, Madras HC ordered Stalin and Palaniswami to not speak about Kodanad case.

On Tuesday, Sayan, a prime suspect in the Kodanad estate robbery and murder case was interrogated by the police for three hours and will be produced before the court as the plea will be heard on August 27.

No political vendetta?

While speaking to the reporters outside the assembly on Wednesday, former CM Palaniswami said, "Kodanad Robbery-murder case is court-monitored probe. Recently there've been reports that prime suspect Sayan's secret statement has been taken, it has my name and that of some other colleagues. We strongly refute this. By this DMK attempting to threaten us."

In response to AIADMK claims, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said, "Opposition was alleging political interference in the case. I state in House that this (action) has been done as per Court's direction. There's no political interference/vendetta. The same Oppn has been asking us about poll promises. It is one of our poll promises."