DMK president MK Stalin on Thursday urged Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to immediately sack Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV (TACTV) chairman Udumalai Radhakrishnan from the post and order a thorough probe into procurement of set-top boxes for the state-run MSO (Multi-system operator).
Udumalai Radhakrishnan
Chennai:
Expressing shock at Chief Minister Palaniswami allegedly shielding TACTV chairman against whom allegations were levelled by the concerned department minister, the DMK president said the same minister (Manikandan) has alleged with evidence that the TACTV chairman also owns a company manufacturing set-top boxes. It is evident from the fact that the allegation was levelled by the minister in charge of TACTV, Stalin reasoned that the allegation of the ex-minister gains significance given that it comes in the backdrop of tenders being finalised for procurement of 60 lakh standard and 10 lakh high definition set-top boxes for TACTV.
Wondering why the CM had appointed a person owning a company providing two lakh cable connections, the DMK chief also sought to know what was the tug of war between the CM and Manikandan? “What was the link between set-top box procurement, minister’s allegation and his sacking?” Stalin asked, urging the Chief Minister to immediately clarify on the issue, sack the incumbent TACTV chairman and order a vigilance and anti-corruption probe in to the alleged set-top box procurement scam.
Condemning the Chief Minister for dropping former IT minister Manikandan from the cabinet to cover up the corruption in set-top box procurement for TACTV, Stalin said the revelation by Manikandan that CM did not consult him on reducing the cable TV fare and newly appointed TACTV chairman was owning a company with two lakh cable connections was proof of the ruling AIADMK abusing power to engage
in corruption.
Expressing shock at Chief Minister Palaniswami allegedly shielding TACTV chairman against whom allegations were levelled by the concerned department minister, the DMK president said the same minister (Manikandan) has alleged with evidence that the TACTV chairman also owns a company manufacturing set-top boxes. It is evident from the fact that the allegation was levelled by the minister in charge of TACTV, Stalin reasoned that the allegation of the ex-minister gains significance given that it comes in the backdrop of tenders being finalised for procurement of 60 lakh standard and 10 lakh high definition set-top boxes for TACTV.
Wondering why the CM had appointed a person owning a company providing two lakh cable connections, the DMK chief also sought to know what was the tug of war between the CM and Manikandan? “What was the link between set-top box procurement, minister’s allegation and his sacking?” Stalin asked, urging the Chief Minister to immediately clarify on the issue, sack the incumbent TACTV chairman and order a vigilance and anti-corruption probe in to the alleged set-top box procurement scam.