The Income Tax raids on the residences and offices of Karnataka Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his close family and aides continued for the second day on Thursday. However, the I-T department has revealed little about the seize memos. A jolted Congress Party has launched state-wide protests alleging “political conspiracy” and “misuse” of central agencies.
The Karnataka government has shot off a letter to Union revenue secretary registering its protest against the I-T department deploying the CRPF, alleging it shows the state police in poor light.
In the letter addressed to Hasmukh Adhia, Karnataka's additional chief secretary Subhash Chandra stated that the raids across six locations on Wednesday was carried out by I-T sleuths accompanied by the CRPF personnel, despite the law and order being the responsibility of the state police. Established conventions of cooperative action between agencies of the Central and state government should not be bypassed, he added.
Stating that senior police officials had informed him that armed CRPF men was opposed by the supporters of the minister, Chandra noted, “This could have escalated the situation. In the past, I-T searches have been carried out with or without police protection. But deploying CRPF casts aspersions on the credibility, efficiency and integrity of our police force, which has been utilised buy I-T in its previous operations. Any use of central armed forces should be held in consultation with local police authorities as overall security and maintenance of law and order is the state's responsibility.”
The I-T sleuths who had stayed back at Shivakumar's Sadashivanagar residence on Wednesday night, resumed the operation early on Thursday morning, and recovered a few documents. Similarly, the search continued at the residences of his business partners, in-laws (in Mysuru), sister, personal astrologer and close aides.
Shivakumar's brother and Bengaluru Rural MP D.K. Suresh and his close aides claimed that the family was cooperating with the I-T officials. “There has been no cash recovery. It is all rumours. In fact the Mahazar copy does not mention any cash recovery. It is all a propaganda to malign us,” said Suresh, adding that raids on their friends' houses had nothing to do with them.
KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao, who was leading a protest in the city, said the raid was an assault on democracy.
MLAs want to return?
Meanwhile, sources in the resort where the Congress MLAs from Gujarat are holed up said that the legislators were a worried lot and were insisting on returning to Gujarat. Senior Congress leaders from Karnataka, including KPCC chief G. Parameshwara, have been trying to convince them to stay back.
“One of the MLAs underwent a medical check up as he was feeling sick. But there is no other issue. Modi and Shah feels they can ensure Ahmed Patel's defeat in the Rajya Sabha elections. But we will prove them wrong. The raids are nothing but political vendetta,” said Parameshwara.
Interestingly, the Gujarat MLAs at the resort made serious allegations against the I-T sleuths, a day after the officers came to the hotel and escorted Shivakumar to his Sadashivanagar residence. The MLAs, who are looked after by Shivakumar at the resort, charged that these officers had come in as “emissaries” of BJP national president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and tried to convince them to return to Gujarat. “The people of Gujarat are watching you. Why don't you go back to Gujarat and the BJP will still give you money (Rs 10 crore),” said MLAs Parvez Dhanani and Javed Peerzaad .
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission sought a “factual report” from the Union finance secretary over use of central paramilitary forces in the I-T officials' raids in Bengaluru. The Congress, which has accused the Modi government of using the tax officials to influence the August 8 polling to elect three members to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat, met the EC officials and sought the poll-panel's intervention to ensure their MLAs are not forced to switch sides. A delegation of Congress leaders comprising Kapil Sibal, Vivek Tankha, Rajiv Shukla, Manish Tewari, Randeep Surjewala and Madhu Goud met Chief Election Commissioner A.K. Joti and Election Officer O.P. Rawat.
Mother blames 'jealous' CM
The distraught mother of Shivakumar on Thursday blamed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for the I-T raids on the residences and offices of her sons. Gowramma, who lives in Kanakapura, alleged it was a "plan to prevent her son from becoming the CM".
Speaking to reporters, Gowramma alleged that Siddaramaiah was responsible for the raids as he was “jealous” of her son's political growth. “Why is Siddaramaiah keeping silent. When people are supporting my children, Siddaramaiah is silent. Is he not the CM and leader of the party? He makes my children work hard but does not tolerate their elevation. Even his ministers are jealous. My children want to serve people. They are innocent. Both Siddaramaiah and Modi will pay for this,” she said.
She also expressed her helplessness citing the "upcoming elections". "We cannot do anything now. Siddaramaiah claims he has given free rice to the poor. But is he bringing it from his own house?," asked Gowramma, attacking the CM's pet scheme.
