Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 8: The Congress on Tuesday May 8 accused the BJP of misusing the income tax (I-T) department to conduct raids on Congress candidates and members ahead of the Karnataka elections.

"The Income Tax departemt is working like an arm of the BJP. Continuous raids on only Congress candidates show their bias. The Election Commissioner must at least now take serious cognisance and transfer these I-T officials," said Dinesh Gundu Rao.

"BJP which is losing the election is resorting to desperate means," he added.

"A week ago, our Sirsi candidate and before that our Anekal legislator's places were raided. Several other Congress leaders were also raided. This is happening during election season with vested interests," he alleged.

"The same incompetent people who led the most unstable govt in Karnataka between 2008-13 are now leading the BJP’s election campaign. On the contrary, chief minister Siddaramaiah has delivered a stable and growth oriented government," he said.

Former union finance minister P Chidambaram hit out at the Modi-led central government, accusing it of distorting and violating the constitutional provisions while appointing the 15th Finance Commission and drawing up the Terms of Reference (ToR).

Claiming that ToR was biased against states that are better governed, he said, "If the Terms of Reference are followed by the 15 Finance Commission, the share of funds of the affected states will be sharply reduced, revenue deficit grants will be stopped altogether, and the states will be denied the freedom to devise their own social welfare programmes.

"The ToR of the 15th Finance Commission is another grave misadventure after demonetization and flawed and hastily implemented GST," he added.