BJP seeks Pondy minister's resignation

Puducherry, Mar 12 (UNI) The Puducherry unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today demanded that the DMK make its stand clear on Health Minister E Valsaraj, who is facing a Vigilance inquiry over land deal.

Addressing a press conference here, party state unit President M Visweswaran the BJP would continue its stir until he quit the office.

''As per the Society Act, the Minister should have obtained the permission of senior cooprative officials for the purchase of land, which he did not adhere to. The land was purchased at a price which was more than the market price, making charges of corruption valid'' he said.

The BJP would submit a memorandum to the Chief Minsiter seeking his dismissal.

A cooperative society, to which Mr Selvaraj was the President, had purchased two acres of land for Rs 1.5 crore at Palloor in the Mahe region. A petition was filed in a local court alleging that the deal was struck above the market rate, causing loss to the society.

Puducherry Chief Judge D Krishna Raja, had directed the Vigilance Police to look into the case.

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