In a recent development within AIADMK circles in the stronghold of Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), internal party conflicts emerged among his cadres. In this context, EPS announced the removal of Salem West Union AIADMK Secretary AV Raju from the party. The decision came after allegations were made against Salem Metropolitan City AIADMK Secretary Venkatachalam, accusing him of amassing assets exceeding ₹1000 crore.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami has officially announced that, “Salem West Union Secretary A.V. Raju from Salem Metropolitan District has been suspended from today for acting contrary to the policy goals and principles of the association, acting contrary to the legality of the association, and acting in such a way as to disrupt the organization’s discipline, defying the control of the association and causing stigma and disrepute to the association. Salem West Union Secretary A.V. Raju is removed from all responsibilities, including that of a basic member of the AIADMK.”
This has caused a stir among AIADMK members, and expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s decision, AV Raju held a press conference at his residence in Alaghapuram, Salem. During the meeting, he made startling accusations, asserting that Salem AIADMK Metropolitan City Secretary Venkatachalam was involved in deceitful practices. The allegations included accepting bribes in exchange for facilitating government job acquisitions for his son-in-law at Periyar University in 2020. An amount of ₹30 lakhs was purportedly given, with no repayment or job secured as promised.
He also alleged in a commercial transaction, Venkatachalam assured AV Raju a sum of ₹20 lakhs to facilitate the acquisition of a plot at a reduced cost near a medical college. However, the promised commission has not been provided he alleged.
In pursuit of Anganwadi positions, AV Raju received ₹5 lakhs from two individuals, which he then handed over to Venkatachalam. However, he explicitly stated that he could not guarantee job security and affirmed that the money would not be refunded. He also stated that in 2011 affidafit of Venkatachalam he declared only assets worth ₹41 lakhs now has amassed a wealth of ₹800 crore.
AV Raju disclosed an extensive list of assets, including 123 acres of agricultural land in Pannapatti, 7 acres in Semmankoodal, 32 acres in Vellalapatti, an 8-crore bungalow with a lift in New Road, 20 acres of farmland in Karur, 15 acres of estate in Yercaud, and an apartment in Mullai Nagar. Additionally, he mentioned ownership of 6 cars, 7 buses, and 6 petrol bunks.
Subsequently, he expressed his astonishment at the party suspending him for exposing corruption rather than addressing the allegations. He issued a warning, suggesting that he might disclose information about corruption involving smuggled milk and ghee during Edappadi Palaniswami’s tenure as the head of the Salem Cooperative Milk Department. Furthermore, he asserted that EPS lacks the authority to expel him from the party. He said “I was the director with you in the dairy farm. Shall I give you the list how much corruption you have done? Among the two I was with Edappadi Palaniswami as the director. Amma has made me the director of the diary for 5 years, I was the one of the director with him and he was the chairman. I know how much load milk have been smuggled and I know the ghee you took while you were the chairman. What allegation can you say on me? ”
ரூ.800 கோடி சொத்து.! 200 ஏக்கர் நிலம்.! அதிமுக மா.செ. மீது அதிர வைத்த புகார்.! இபிஎஸ் மீதும் ஊழல் குற்றச்சாட்டு#Salem #ADMK #EPS #AVRaju #Scam #MoneyIssue #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/fpRF3hbJng
— News Tamil 24×7 | நியூஸ் தமிழ் 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) February 19, 2024
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