Chennai, Apr 20:
An Income Tax raid at the residence of Tamil Nadu Congress leader K. Selvaperunthagai on Monday has triggered sharp political reactions, coming at a sensitive time just days before polling in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election 2026.
The search operation coincided with the visit of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to the state for election campaigning, intensifying the political significance of the development. According to Selvaperunthagai, officials carried out the raid while also restricting his movement within the Sriperumbudur Assembly constituency, preventing him from engaging in campaign-related activities.
In a strongly worded statement, the Congress leader alleged that the timing of the raid was “deliberate and politically motivated,” aimed at disrupting Opposition efforts during the final phase of campaigning. He claimed that he was effectively confined under the pretext of the search, which he said hindered his ability to meet voters and party workers.
Selvaperunthagai further accused central agencies of being used as tools of political pressure, alleging a pattern of actions intended to intimidate Opposition leaders and curb their participation in the democratic process. He argued that such measures not only impact individual leaders but also create an atmosphere of fear among party cadres.
Describing the incident as an attack on democratic norms, he said the raid undermines principles such as free movement, free speech, and fair political competition. He also expressed concern that repeated instances of such actions could erode public confidence in institutions meant to function impartially.
Despite the ongoing developments, Selvaperunthagai asserted that he would continue his political work and resist what he termed attempts to silence dissenting voices. With campaigning set to conclude on April 21 ahead of polling on April 23, the episode has added a fresh layer of controversy to an already intense election season in Tamil Nadu.