AIADMK countering DVAC raids’ impact by highlighting tax hikes

CHENNAI: Police officials saluting ministers and later raiding their residences is common in Tamil Nadu, thanks to the regime change.

The usual response from the Opposition party facing the heat of vigilance and the anti-corruption department is a detailed statement or press briefings stating that the raids are an act of political vendetta. But, the AIADMK had slightly modified its response and changed the previous template.

It spoke more about inflation, rise in property tax, electricity utility charges and the consumer cost index in state, giving the ruling DMK and its cadre a run for their money.

It is learnt that the AIADMK has instructed its key speakers to comment on property tax and EB tariff while discussing DVAC raids during TV debates, on social media and public meetings.

“The DMK promised monthly EB meter reading, but they have increased the power charges. They protested the property tax revision during the AIADMK regime, but now water and property tax were revised by 150 per cent,” thundered former AIADMK law minister CVe Shanmugam calling the raids an act of vendetta and poor governance.

The AIADMK mouthpiece, News J, also ran a series of bulletins stating that the raids were an eyewash by the government to divert public outcry on state issues like hikes in EB charges, property and water tax, NEET exemption and milk price rise.

The AIADMK IT wing also churned out memes asking the CM to focus on poll promises made ahead of the Assembly polls.

Former revenue minister RB Udhayakumar wondered, “How many times will the state police raid AIADMK leaders?”

It is a fact that the AIADMK leaders are targeted by the DVAC and such raids do tarnish their image. However, this is something like double jeopardy where the issue is extended in defamatory manner, said advocate and political observer S Agneeswaran.

Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami had also mentioned in his statement that the raids were orchestrated by the state to divert the public attention from issues like revision of property tax and electricity charge hike, noted Agneeswaran.