BJP's K Annamalai threatens counter case against DMK

CHENNAI: Sticking to the graft charges he levelled against chief minister M K Stalin and his family members, BJP state president K Annamalai on Monday threatened a counter defamation case against the DMK for linking him to the Arudhra scam.
In a statement, Annamalai said he had evidence for the allegations he levelled against Stalin and that he would submit it to the CBI. Annamalai said he was also ready to face legal action threatened by DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi for levelling corruption charges against Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi.
While the DMK demanded 500crore as damages from Annamalai for 'defaming Stalin, the DMK and its functionaries,' Annamalai said he was seeking 500crore and one rupee more for linking his name to the 2,400 crore Arudhra financial scam. The money would be sent to the PMCares fund, Annamalai said. The DMK legal notice said the damages collected from Annamalai would be transferred to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's relief fund. The clash began on April 14, when Annamalai levelled a series of allegations, listing out the assets of DMK leaders, including Stalin and his family members. Dismissing the allegations as baseless and laughable, the DMK followed up the action with a legal notice on Sunday. AIADMK too joined issue in attacking Annamalai, as the BJP leader said he would soon release details of corruption by other parties too that governed Tamil Nadu.
Annamalai maintained that his charges are backed by evidence and threatened counter legal action against the DMK. Terming the allegations that he received money from Arudhra group as baseless, Annamalai demanded an explanation from Bharathi within 48 hours for the allegation. He threatened to sue Bharathi if he failed to offer the explanation for the allegations. A BJP functionary, subsequently expelled from the party, was one of the directors of the Arudhra Group.
Annamalai said he would soon issue a legal notice seeking damages. "My legal response to the notice issued by Bharathi would also be sent soon," he said.