Tapes asking favour of cop leaked, TN minister quits

TN MINISTER QUITS: Aladiaruna quit even before the DMK could consider taking action against her.

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Chennai: She's the first big casualty in a controversy that's troubled Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi for a few months now. Social Welfare Minister, Poongothai Aladiaruna, was forced to step down after a phone conversation she had with a senior police officer was made public.

Poongothai was asking Additonal Director General of Police S K Upadhyay to go easy on a corruption case against her cousin.

Transcripts of the conversation read:

S K Upadhayay: Good afternoon. This is S K Upadhyay, Director, Vigilance Anti-Corruption.

Poongothai Aladiaruna: I believe one of my relatives, Mr Jawahar was unfortunately caught when he went on an inspection or whatever. I think he has been charged with corruption.

S K Upadhayay: Ok, which year

Poongothai Aladiaruna: It was very recently. I heard you are coming for an enquiry this afternoon. He's working in the Electricity Department. He is my own sister's son. First cousin. I mean if the things have to be done, please go ahead. Please make sure it is not very intense. He is the only one earning in his family.There is an enquiry coming. His name is Mr Jawahar. He is the assistant engineer.

S K Upadhayay: OK. I will just check out what is the position.

Poongothai Aladiaruna: I think you can transfer the enquiry to the ED Department and we will take care. Whatever you can do just make it little easier for him.

S K Upadhayay: I will just check up with the position since I am not aware with the present position. I will check up and see what can be done.

Poongothai Aladiaruna: His name is Jawahar. Thank you.

A few weeks ago, the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary's conversation with the same police officer was also made public. The police officer admitted in an enquiry that he recorded these conversations on his lap top and all this meant Karunanidhi was in a tight spot in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

But before anyone could point fingers, Karunanidhi was quick to come to his own defence. "Even before we considered action she has resigned. This incident is shameful," he stated in the Assembly.

However, the DMK chief still can't heave a sigh of relief. The Opposition, spearheaded by J Jayalalithaa, are now asking why Union Shipping Minister, T R Baalu has not resigned.

Jayalalithaa in her statement says Poongothai resigned for interfering in a corruption case and Baalu must resign because he admitted that he spoke to the Prime Minister's Office for gas allotment to a firm owned by his family.

It looks like Karunanidhi's colleagues in Delhi and Chennai have put the DMK Chief in a tight spot.