I-T sleuths threatening leaders to claim money belongs to me: Shivakumar

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday (April 25) accused the Income Tax department of behaving like 'BJP agents'.

He alleged that Income Tax department officials were conducting raids targeting the Congress, ahead of Lok Sabha polls, and are threatening leaders who faced raids to claim that money belongs to him and the party.

IT sleuths on Wednesday conducted simultaneous raids at some locations in and around Bengaluru, belonging to businessmen and associates of prominent political leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka.

Targeting Congress

"The Income Tax department is being used to target only Congress party people, they haven't got money from anyone. Income Tax people are threatening everyone to say that money belongs to Shivakumar, Congress money," Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said, "They (IT sleuths) have to do searches for an hour or so and go back; instead, people are being forced to sit with them for an entire day, not allowing them to be involved in election activities. I did not expect such politics from the Income Tax."

"Let them go, do searches. Did they go to anyone from BJP? Don't they know where BJP is distributing money? Is there no list? You (IT) have kept people for watch, what are they doing? Like BJP agents you are working. Yesterday at three or four places our Congress leaders specifically from Bangalore Rural segment were targeted," he added.

Shivakumar's brother and present MP D K Suresh is the Congress candidate from Bangalore Rural, which goes to the polls on Friday.

According to sources, the search on Wednesday was focused on places belonging to a prominent leader who organised campaign rallies for the Congress.

Modi's frustration

He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making certain statements recently against the ruling Congress in the state, out of "frustration." "But, they will fail once again here (in Karnataka). I have already said they won't get double digits here," he said. Karnataka has a total of 28 Lok Sabha constituencies.

Slamming Modi over his 'mangalsutra' remark, the KPCC chief sought to highlight the alleged spike in gold prices under his rule and said, "(the issue is) women are unable to wear mangalsutra (unable to afford gold)...not mangalsutras being snatched by the Congress."

Inheritance tax

Reacting to Congress leader Sam Pitroda's "inheritance tax" remarks, Shivakumar said, no such things have been decided in the party, and it is not the party's stand, and "we will not allow it."

"This is India. Already Jairam Ramesh (Congress' in-charge Communications) has spoken on behalf of the party. There is no such tax, what is there in this country, our traditions and practices, will continue...what we have said in our manifesto that's all, nothing other than that," he said, as he tried to distance the party from such remarks. 

(With inputs from agencies)