Chennai: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has accused the Bharatiya Janata Occasion-led Union authorities of pursuing a political agenda by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI), which has summoned Karur MLA Senthil Balaji in reference to final yr’s stampede in Karur.

The summons have been despatched despite the fact that no formal fees have been filed in opposition to the DMK MLA. He has been requested to seem on 17 March.

Talking to ThePrint, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai claimed misuse of central companies by BJP. “The CBI is being utilized by the BJP as a device for his or her political beneficial properties, and that is what’s being finished utilizing summons in opposition to political leaders to safe electoral beneficial properties. We should wait and see if the CBI investigation is getting used for political strain in opposition to TVK.”

Senthil Balaji is a outstanding DMK chief in Karur and has been elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Meeting 5 instances throughout totally different constituencies and events. Whereas he was elected from Karur (on AIADMK ticket) in 2006 and 2011, he was elected from Karur once more as a DMK candidate in 2021, after he switched events in 2018.

Political analysts counsel that although Senthil Balaji didn’t straight organise the occasion, he has been named as a witness as a consequence of his regional affect and alleged communications with occasion organisers. Earlier, Karur Collector and SP had been additionally questioned by the CBI.

TVK basic secretary for propaganda and coverage Ok. G. Arunraj had additionally earlier alleged that the BJP was utilizing the CBI to strain Vijay to ally with the BJP.

Vijay too was summoned by the CBI Tuesday, however he had requested for a 15-day reprieve citing election engagements and requested that the questioning be carried out in Chennai or close by, as an alternative of Delhi. The CBI has agreed to query him in Chennai.

The CBI has now requested Vijay to seem earlier than it on 15 March.

Whereas Vijay has appeared for questioning twice earlier than, Senthil Balaji has been summoned for the primary time.

Responding to reviews that claimed he had ignored the summons which requested him to seem on 9 March, Senthil Balaji clarified that he has been requested to seem on 17 Match. His publish on X mentioned: “Concerning the Karur tragic incident, conflicting reviews have surfaced in some media shops concerning the summons issued by the CBI. Based mostly on the summons despatched by the CBI asking me to seem in particular person on March 17 and supply clarifications, I intend to go there in particular person and furnish the suitable explanations to their questions.”

This isn’t the primary time DMK is questioning the function of central companies just like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to focus on opposition leaders and events for political beneficial properties, particularly in non-BJP states.

“Not simply Senthil Balaji, however all political leaders who had been focused by the Enforcement Directorate and people who had been arrested would have been requested to hitch BJP. The BJP can also be utilizing this to strain TVK into becoming a member of the alliance. Senthil Balaji will seem and reply to their queries as required,” mentioned Annadurai.

Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP N. R. Elango instructed ThePrint that Senthil Balaji was one of many first responders who visited the victims after the stampede and supplied help. “Whereas his function can solely be of a witness, it could not be stunning if this authorities makes use of CBI for his or her political motives. Nonetheless, it could actually result in a backlash in opposition to them in the event that they attempt to hyperlink Senthil Balaji to the case as a result of he’s not associated to the occasion,” added Elango.

Political analyst Ravindran Thuraisamy described the CBI’s function as influencing Tamil Nadu politics, concentrating on figures like Vijay and Balaji. “Senthil Balaji solely has a witness function, however Vijay could should face hassle with the CBI investigation. Politically, Vijay is seen as a future ally of Rahul Gandhi, whom the BJP must oust. Equally with Senthil Balaji, it could be some strain however there isn’t a authorized cost,” Thuraisamy instructed ThePrint.

He added that Balaji is being summoned to exert strain, although he’s not a police officer answerable for the occasion coordination or offering security. “Even when there are accusations of his involvement, what’s the proof? How can he be blamed or framed for an occasion he was not concerned in organising?,” he questioned.

BJP dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Narayanan Thirupathy, chief spokesperson, TN BJP, mentioned: “It’s Senthil Balaji’s mistake that he was corrupt and has engaged in taking cash from folks. A corrupt particular person like him can’t have the ethical proper to query the function of central companies when they’re doing their obligation. Furthermore, it was the DMK that raised complaints in opposition to Senthil Balaji when he was with AIADMK, then how can they accuse the CBI of getting used as a device for political beneficial properties by BJP now? It’s a very foolish assertion.”

(Edited by Viny Mishra)

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Additionally learn: Scrutiny of Vijay’s private life derailing agenda forward of Tamil Nadu polls, say TVK insiders

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