Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Aug 4: The district BJP on Friday August 4 hit back at the Congress for criticising the ruling NDA government over the I-T raids on state energy minister D K Shivakumar, and said that instead of welcoming the steps taken by the centre against corruption, the Congress was doing 'goondagiri' (rowdism).
Addressing a press meet here, BJP district president Sanjeeva Matandoor said, "Today the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken up certain steps to make the country corruption-free. But Karnataka is at the forefront in terms of corruption. Four years ago, chief minister Siddaramaiah raised voice against corruption and assured that tainted ministers would be behind the bars. But now his cabinet minister himself is on the verge of entering the jail.
"Media has been highlighting that Karnataka is placed second in terms of corruption, and this fact has now been proved. D K Shivakumar should have welcomed the I-T raids if he had faith in himself and proven himself clean, instead the Congress has opted for goondagiri. This is not the first time that the I-T department has conducted raids, previously I-T raids had been conducted on the residences of BJP leaders Janardhana Reddy and Siddeshwara, but then the Congress claimed that truth had prevailed. But now when I-T department conducted raids on D K Shivakumar, Congress is criticizing the Modi government," he said.
"The I-T department has not conducted raids due to political pressure, instead for days prior to the raid, they collected the required information and planned the raids," he added.
"Karnataka is facing drought and Gujarat has been affected by severe flooding. The Karnataka government should have shown concern towards drought. The Gujarat MLAs who are in the resort in Bengaluru should have shown concern, instead, they are trying to protect MP Ahmed Patel and the tainted minister D K Shivakumar.
"Congress should have welcomed the raids on D K Shivakumar and proved that its leaders are clean. Lokayukta was very active in the state during BJP's time, but Siddramaiah defamed Lokayukta and introduced Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) so that it can be under his clutches. Siddaramaih has no faith on Lokayukta and the central I-T department. We condemn the way he misuses the Anti Corruption Bureau.
"When the I-T department underook the slew of raids on D K Shivakumar, Congress indulged in goondagiri by vandalizing the I-T department in Mangaluru. This incident portrays the culture of Congress. We demand the I-T department to identify the tainted ministers and conduct raids and make the state corruption-free, and also condemn the goondagiri by Congress members," Matandoor said.
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