IT raids TN Health Minister Vijayabaskar residence in Chennai

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Health minister C Vijayabaskar's residence on Greenways Road was raided by Income Tax department officials in an early morning swoop. Shortly, thereafter, workers of AIADMK (Amma ) party led by jailed general secretary V K Sasikala, assembled in front of the residence and raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The minister later told presspersons that he did not know why the raids were being conducted. He claimed he was being harassed by IT authorities.

Two of his ministerial colleagues, R Kamaraj and Udumalai Radhakrishnan along with Tamil Nadu representative in New Delhi, Thalavai S Sundaram, banged the gate of Vijayabaskar's residence and argued with the CRPF personnel to allow them entry into the house.

Allowing the ministers to enter the residence during a raid was said to be against the IT rules. An official said the matter would be checked.

An official said the minister should not also have been allowed to talk to the media.

State police personnel present outside the residence allowed the partymen to sit on the road and raise slogans.

The AIADMK (Amma) leaders said the raids were carried out to postpone the April 12 byelection in R K Nagar constituency.