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 Congress government's 100-day celebrations.
The ED conducted searches at multiple locations in Karnataka and Goa as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities and possible violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar alleged that the BJP was unable to tolerate Jarkiholi's political stature and growth and accused central investigative agencies of being used against 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.
Shivakumar backs Jarkiholi
The Chief Minister defended Jarkiholi and said the minister had committed no wrongdoing. He assured that both the Congress party and the state government would stand firmly behind him.
"Satish Jarkiholi has not committed any mistake. The government and the party will stand with him strongly, 100 per cent," Shivakumar said.
Responding to questions about the ED's investigation into alleged overseas investments, he 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.
Shivakumar described Jarkiholi as a senior minister and industrialist involved in social service and said there was no reason for anyone to panic over the investigation.
Congress questions selective raids
The Congress also questioned the ED's decision to search properties linked to Jarkiholi while allegedly not conducting similar searches involving BJP leaders connected to Y. Manjunath, an Excise Department official whose residence was also searched.
Congress leaders pointed out that Manjunath is Jarkiholi's brother-in-law and questioned why the properties of other members of the family, including BJP legislators Ramesh Jarkiholi and Lakhan Jarkiholi, had not been searched.
Karnataka Congress President B.K. Hariprasad alleged that central agencies, including the ED, Income Tax Department and CBI, were being used by the BJP-led NDA government to pressure 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.
Hariprasad also questioned the searches involving Jarkiholi, his family members and Manjunath and raised questions about whether parliamentary permissions were required in connection with the search involving Congress MP Priyanka Jarkiholi.
Shivakumar links raids to 100-day celebrations
The Karnataka Chief Minister also alleged that the timing of the ED action was intended to divert public attention from the Congress government's completion of 100 days in office.
"Tomorrow my government is completing 100 days. To derail the celebrations and divert the attention of the people, the BJP has planned this," he alleged.
Shivakumar referred to earlier ED action involving former minister B. Nagendra and alleged that central agencies were also being used to target other Congress leaders and matters involving the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
He questioned why similar investigations were not being conducted against BJP leaders and said the Congress government would not be intimidated by the raids.
The ED's searches are part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities and possible FEMA violations. The allegations made by Congress leaders regarding political motivation have not been established, while the investigation by the central agency is continuing.
