RSS condemns Dayanidhi Maran for dragging its name in CBI case

Chennai, Jan 23: RSS on Friday hit back at DMK leader and former Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran for "unnecessarily dragging" its name in connection with a CBI case, saying he was doing so to "conceal" the alleged scam committed by him and divert attention.

Maran was making "baseless charges" against RSS as he was not brave enough to face the allegations against him, a statement from the RSS' Tamil Nadu unit said, a day after the former telecom minister's attack on the organisation.

"RSS strongly condemns Dayanidhi Maran for unnecessarily dragging (its name) to conceal the scam committed by him and divert attention," it said.

Reacting to the arrests of his close aide and two others by CBI on January 21 in the illegal telephone exchange case, Maran had yesterday charged the agency with trying "to fix" him to please RSS leader from Tamil Nadu S Gurumurthy.

RSS said that Gurumurthy, an auditor by profession, had been part of the movement for over 40 years and had been 'bringing to light' various instances of corruption but none accused by him of scams had made any charges against the right-wing movement like Maran had done.

"He lacks the courage to face the charges against him and has made baseless charges against RSS," it said.

RSS was involved in 'peaceful and constructive activities' and had overcome various hurdles including those from Dravidian outfits, it said adding it did not require the support or help of any political party.

CBI had on Wednesday arrested V Gowthaman, then Additional Private Secretary of Maran, and two others in connection with the alleged allotment of more than 300 high-speed telephone lines to the former Telecom Minister's residence in Chennai which were extended to his brother's TV channel.

PTI