DMK to urge Guv to take action over V-Cs' appointments in TN

Days after Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit alleged that crores of rupees exchanged hands in the appointment of vice-chancellors to universities before he took over, DMK chief M K Stalin said on Monday that his party would urge him to take appropriate action in the matter.

"It is not a joke but a thing of anguish that the governor himself has spoken about corruption to the tune of several crores of rupees in the appointments of vice-chancellors," he told reporters here.

The DMK leader, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said his party has sought an appointment with Purohit to urge him in person "to take speedy, appropriate action" in the appointments of vice-chancellors.

"Corruption was reigning supreme not only in appointments of vice-chancellors, but in all departments," Stalin alleged, adding that his party had approached the governor on such graft charges and filed petitions before the Madras High Court, which were pending.

"The Election Commission deferring announcing the dates for holding bypolls in Tirvarur and Tiruparankundram constituencies showed the extent to which the ruling AIADMK is afraid to face elections," he claimed.

Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat had said Saturday that the dates for the bypolls would be announced later since the state government had cited weather forecast of very heavy rains during the monsoon season.

On October 6, Purohit addressing an event here had alleged that in the "appointment of vice-chancellors ...exchanging (of) money in crores, I could not believe that, then I decided things have to be changed."