India
The first-ever CBI raid on a sitting DGP of Tamil Nadu has left the police force in shame. Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijayabaskar and Director General of Police TK Rajendran were raided in connection with the gutkha scam.
The CBI raids on Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijayabaskar, former Chennai Police Commissioner S George former state minister BV Ramana and Director General of Police TK Rajendran shows a rot in Tamil Nadu's police system. The first-ever CBI raid on a sitting DGP of Tamil Nadu has left the police force in shame. These raids were in connection with the 'gutkha' scam.
Top ministers, police officers and revenue officials are alleged to have taken bribes to allow the manufacture and sale of gutkha. The substance was banned in the state in 2013.
DGP TK Rajendran also approached Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami to offer his resignation to take the moral high ground. However, Palaniswami has allegedly refused to accept his resignation. However, this has less to do with Rajendra than Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijayabaskar.
Vijayabaskar was a staunch TTV Dhinakaran ally, who switched sides and joined AIADMK after being given a ministerial berth. If Rajendran's resignation is accepted, Palaniswami is afraid that the clamour demanding for Vijabaskar's resignation will grow. And if the health minister resigns, Palaniswami is worried that Vijaybaskar may go back to Dhinakaran. AIADMK does not have a majority in the state and is desperate to hold onto power.
Interestingly, TTV Dhinakaran has not spoken out against Vijaybaskar although the minister switched sides. Even during the Income Tax raids on Vijaybaskar's properties in RK Puram last year, Dhinakaran did not say a word. This shows that Dhinakaran still has a soft spot for Vijaybaskar and will possibly accept him back into the fold if ever Vijaybaskar decides to return.
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