I-T raids on Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar's residence: CM Siddaramaiah calls it 'political conspiracy'

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah condemned the Income Tax department’s raids at power minister DK Shivakumar’s residences in Karnataka and Delhi. In a series of tweets, he supported the minister and accused the Centre of “political vendetta”. Siddaramaiah said the raids were a “political conspiracy” planned against Shivakumar and condemned the use of para-military forces in I-T searches.

IT raids aimed at my Cabinet colleague @withDKS clearly a pol conspiracy. Use of Central Para-Military Forces in an IT search is condemnable

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 2, 2017

Investigation must always follow due procedure to unearth the truth. Violating rules exposes political motivations behind raids.

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 2, 2017

The chief minister further added that using the Income Tax department as a weapon amounted to blatant misuse of power and was against democratic principles.

Using IT Dept as a weapon of pol vendetta is not only a blatant misuse of power,but also against principles of democracy & 'coop federalism'

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 2, 2017

He also said the Karnataka government will not give in to political blackmail.

The Congress Government in Karnataka will neither budge to such political blackmail nor stoop to vindictive politics.

— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) August 2, 2017

The Income Tax Department on Wednesday raided 39 premises owned by Shivakumar and his family. Several Congress and BJP leaders lashed out at each other over the issue. While the Congress alleged the Centre was indulging in vendetta politics, BJP refuted their claims and said the raids were a “purely professional activity”. The Congress had earlier accused BJP of using CBI and ED to target MLAs from their party and claimed Wednesday’s raids were yet another tactic being used to foster instability in the state. Shivakumar is hosting MLAs from Gujarat who have been brought to a resort in Bengaluru until Rajya Sabha elections take place on 8 August. The Congress legislators were taken to the resort after six of their colleagues quit the party. Senior party leader Amhed Patel is contesting the polls from Gujarat. Six out of 57 MLAs from Gujarat resigned from the party in recent days, with three joining the BJP on Friday. The party fears Patel’s election would come under a cloud if there are any further defections.