Chidambaram in damage-control mode: 'I strongly disapprove'

Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday expressed strong disapproval of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s raid at Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Stalin's residence in Chennai, saying the action is bound to be misunderstood.

"I strongly disapprove of CBI action. It is bound to be misunderstood," he said.

Chidambaram, a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu, said he normally does not comment on the working of another department but in this case, he had to react.

The finance minister said he came to know about the CBI action around 8.30 am. He has already conveyed his feelings to the minister in-charge of CBI.

"Whatever be the reason, I am afraid, it is bound to be misunderstood. I have conveyed my views to the minister-in-charge," he said.

V Narayanasamy, who is the minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office and the Department of Personnel and Training, is the minister in-charge of CBI.

Asked to elaborate on the views conveyed by him, he said, "I suggest that you put further questions to the minister in-charge or the head of CBI".

CBI carried out raids at 19 places across Tamil Nadu, including at the Chennai residence of Stalin, who is DMK chief M Karunanidhi's son, in a case of alleged tax evasion of imported cars.

The CBI team reached the house of Stalin in Chennai, who is alleged to be one of the beneficiaries of importing foreign cars, agency officials said.

The raids came close on the heels of DMK pulling out of the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition and its five ministers resigning over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

On the CBI raid at Stalin's residence, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said somebody with full knowledge of the political situation “has played mischief".

"The point is that this is the time when a lot of churning is happening. The DMK has taken a certain position. They have withdrawn support from the government. At this time for somebody to do this, having full knowledge of this, obviously means that somebody has played mischief," he told reporters.

He said the Opposition and other members of Parliament were "rightly disturbed" over the CBI raids.

"I don't think that anything like this could have been directed. Obviously, someway down the road something has happened which should never have happened. It sends the wrong message," he said.

Sibal said the CBI action would be "rightly misunderstood and we must tell the DMK that despite the fact that they have taken a decision, we consider them as our partner and as an ally".

"None of this should have happened and whoever has done this should be asked as to why, at this point in time, this raid took place," the minister said.