Bengaluru, Sep 9 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, on Wednesday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi and his associates were politically motivated and aimed at targeting an influential Dalit leader and disrupting the state government’s 100-day celebrations.
The Congress also questioned why the central agency had not searched the properties of BJP legislators related to Excise Department official Y. Manjunath and only raided Jarkiholi’s home. The minister is Manjunath’s brother-in-law and the Excise Department official’s house was also raided on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, CM Shivakumar said the BJP was unable to tolerate Jarkiholi’s stature and growth and alleged that central investigative agencies were being misused to target Congress leaders.
“Satish Jarkiholi is an influential Dalit leader. The BJP is not able to tolerate his stature and growth. Earlier, they conducted raids against me and sent me to jail. Now, Congress leaders are being targeted and central investigating agencies are being misused,” he said.
The Chief Minister asserted that Jarkiholi had committed no wrongdoing and said the state government and the party would stand firmly by him.
“Satish Jarkiholi has not committed any mistake. The government and the party will stand with him strongly, 100 per cent,” CM Shivakumar said.
Responding to questions about the ED’s focus on alleged overseas investments, CM Shivakumar questioned whether conducting business abroad was itself an offence.
“Won’t people carry out business overseas? Is there no provision in law for that? Is it an offence for family members to carry out business overseas?” he asked.
CM Shivakumar described Jarkiholi as a senior minister and industrialist who was involved in social service and said there was no reason for panic over the investigation.
“He is a senior minister and also an industrialist. He is carrying out social service without any hidden agenda. He is ready to face any investigation and there is no need for anyone to panic,” he said.
The Chief Minister also alleged that the timing of the raids was intended to divert public attention from the state government’s 100-day milestone.
“Tomorrow my government is completing 100 days. To derail the celebrations and divert the attention of the people, the BJP has planned this,” CM Shivakumar alleged.
He referred to previous ED action against former minister B. Nagendra and alleged that central agencies were now being used to target Home Minister Priyank Kharge and in connection with issues involving the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
CM Shivakumar also questioned why similar action was not being taken against BJP leaders.
“Why are raids not being conducted on BJP leaders? They file FIRs against Rahul Gandhi and purify places visited by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. In which age are we living?” he asked.
The Chief Minister said the Congress government would not be intimidated by such actions and added that he had advised party legislators to remain cautious.
Karnataka Congress President B.K. Hariprasad also alleged that the ED, Income Tax Department and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were being used by the BJP-led NDA government to threaten Opposition leaders.
“Jarkiholi is a senior leader of the Congress party and a minister in the Karnataka government. The raids against him do not surprise us. The BJP and NDA government are using the ED, IT and CBI to threaten Opposition leaders and are using them as washing machines,” Hariprasad said.
He alleged that the agencies had failed to learn lessons despite criticism and observations from the Supreme Court.
Hariprasad also questioned the searches involving Jarkiholi, his brother-in-law and Excise Department official Y. Manjunath, as well as MP Priyanka Jarkiholi.
“When the ED is conducting raids on Satish Jarkiholi and his daughter, Congress MP Priyanka Jarkiholi, I will have to ask whether they have taken permission from the Speaker,” he said.
Hariprasad also raised questions about why the agency had not searched the properties of other relatives connected to Manjunath.
“Manjunath is not only the brother-in-law of Satish Jarkiholi. His father Devendrappa was a BJP MP. Why has his residence not been raided?” Hariprasad asked.
He further questioned why the residences of Satish Jarkiholi’s brothers Ramesh Jarkiholi and Lakhan Jarkiholi, both legislators from the BJP, had not been searched despite the fact that they are also brother-in-laws to Manjunath.
The remarks came as the ED continued searches at multiple locations in Karnataka and Goa as part of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities and possible violations of FEMA provisions.
–IANS
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