‘Raids for reels’: Stalin cries foul over TN govt searching KN Nehru-linked premises

MK Stalin tears into Vijay government over searches linked to KN Nehru NEW DELHI: Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK president M K Stalin on Thursday accused the C Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of using vigilance raids as political theatre ahead of the Tiruchirappalli East by-election. Stalin also asserted that the searches would not intimidate DMK workers.The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Thursday conducted searches at 25 locations across Tamil Nadu linked to former minister and DMK leader K N Nehru in connection with an alleged Rs 634-crore cash-for-jobs scam involving recruitment in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) department.In a post on X, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)chief Stalin described the action as “Vettri Vendetta Politics” and accused the state government of attempting to divert attention from law-and-order concerns.“The Chief Minister, who has turned Tamil Nadu into a state where women, children, and the elderly are no longer safe, is now contemplating whether to conduct a 'Roadshow' or a 'Raidshow' to divert the attention of the people and the media's 'Breaking News',” Stalin said.The DMK chief also accused the ruling party of selectively targeting former ministers while inducting leaders facing corruption allegations.“TVK, a 'TN Branch Washing Machine' that is turning all the corrupt vermin into 'bargaining horses' and inducting them into its party, is pursuing a plan of 'Vettri Vendetta Politics' by targeting only the former ministers of the DMK regime. As always, this will fail before the law and hang its head in shame before the public!” he said. Linking the searches to the upcoming by-election, Stalin alleged that the operation was intended to generate social media content and provide Vijay with political talking points.“These raids, conducted to produce 'Reels' for the Tiruchirappalli East by-election and to allow the Chief Minister to scream on stage in various modulations under the guise of 'punch dialogues,' will not make even the toenail of the lowermost DMK cadre tremble!” he said.The DVAC searches follow the registration of a case against Nehru and others after the Madras High Court directed a probe into alleged irregularities flagged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The allegations concern bribes collected from candidates in exchange for government postings during Nehru’s tenure as minister. The agency is examining documents and financial records to trace the suspected money trail and establish evidence relating to the recruitment process.Nehru has also moved the Supreme Court through a special leave petition challenging the Madras High Court’s October 26 order dismissing his review petition against the registration of the first information report (FIR).Stalin further criticised the government over rising prices and governance, saying, “The entire nation, not just Tamil Nadu, is mocking this TVK government, which is plaguing the people with lawlessness, a rusted administration, and scorching price hikes.” Subhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.