Income tax sleuths on Saturday searched the residence of senior DMK leader Duraimurugan in Vellore district over suspected use of unaccounted money for electioneering.

The search comes days after tax raids led to a political storm in neighbouring Karnataka.

The tax officials along with personnel from the election flying squad arrived late last night at the Katpadi residence of the DMK treasurer and started the search early on Saturday morning.

Highly placed sources in the investigation wing of the income tax department told PTI about the search and hinted that it was carried out to detect suspected tax evasion vis-a-vis the alleged use of money that is unaccounted for but was used for electioneering.

The DMK has fielded Duraimurugan's son, D.M. Kathir Anand, from the Vellore seat for the polls. Whether any dubious cash was found is unclear.

Duraimurugan alleged that the search was a 'conspiracy' by some political leaders who could not face the party in the electoral arena. 'They (tax officials) have gone with the understanding that we have nothing (to hide),' he told reporters.

The DMK leader also questioned the timing of the search. 'This is not the time to hold searches, be it tax or other authorities, when we are in the midst of a full-fledged election campaign,' he said.

The tax sleuths carried out pre-dawn searches at 15 to 20 locations in Karnataka, among these Bangalore, Mandya, Mysore, Hassan, Ramanagar and Shivamogga, on Thursday. Karnataka minor irrigation minister C.S. Puttaraju, his nephew and close associates of PWD minister H.D. Revanna were among those whose residences were searched.

Later, Congress and JD(S) leaders led by Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, deputy chief minister G. Parameshwara and former chief minister Siddaramaiah held a demonstration against the raids.