Chennai: Terming allegations against him in connection with gutka sale as “political vendetta”, Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar on Thursday said he will face the issue legally.

In a statement issued on Thursday after Opposition Leader M.K. Stalin demanded his sacking from the ministry, Mr Vijayabhaskar detailed steps taken by the Tamil Nadu Government in enforcing the ban on gutka products since May 23, 2013.

“Till April 2017, a total of 544.59 tonnes of gutka, pan masala and related goods were seized and destroyed. And we have also destroyed 80 tonnes of such materials in Chennai alone,” the Health Minister said in a statement, adding that products worth Rs 15.38 crore has been destroyed. He also said more than 6.17 lakh shops have raided and 81,796 shops have been identified as having selling banned food products.

“Some people with political vendetta desire to finish my political career by levelling baseless and false allegations against me. I have encountered such situations in life and I have succeeded in overcoming them. I have nothing to hide and I don’t fear. I will face the issue legally,” Mr Vijayabhaskar said.