Jaya flays raids on Margadarsi

Chennai, Feb 22 (UNI) Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalithaa today flayed the Andhra Pradesh Government for sending police to raid the office of Margadarsi Financiers owned by Eenaadu Proprietor Ramoji Rao.

Condemning the raid as highly deplorable, Ms Jayalalithaa, in a statement here, said ''this is an anti-democratic act and failing to condemn it will only encourage the Central and state governments to display even more vindictiveness against the Opposition.'' ''This dictatorial attitude and fascist activity of the Andhra Pradesh Government cannot be justified in any way. The AIADMK severely condemns it,'' she said and alleged the raid was nothing but a vendetta as Eenaadu had been reporting on ''corrupt practices and atrocities'' eversince the Congress came to power in Andhra Pradesh in 2004.

The state government's action was also deeply distressing, she said adding if there was any complaint about improper functioning of the financial institution, it was the duty of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to send its officers to investigate it.

The Andhra Pradesh Government sending its police for conducting the raid and investigation was only an act of political vengeance, Ms Jayalalithaa charged.

UNI