Congress Describes IT Raid on Karnataka Minister as Desperate Attempt by BJP; Raises Issue in Parliament

Bengaluru/New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP, Secretary to Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel described Income Tax (IT) raid on the residences of Karnataka State Energy Minister, Congress leader DK Shivakumar, his close associates, relatives and the resort where Congress MLAs from Gujarat have been staying since last week as desperate attempt by BJP led union government to secure a seat in the next Rajya Sabha elections.   

The residences of the minister, his close associates, relatives are being raided by the IT officials today, August 2 since early morning in Karnataka and New Delhi. Details, reasons for the raid is yet to be known.

Ahmed Patel tweeted on the raids being conducted in Karnataka and said frustrated, desperate union government led by BJP is trying to secure a Rajya Sabha seat from Gujarat in the next elections scheduled next week.

He further added that, as part of the strategy of the BJP, IT department has raided the residence of DK Shivakumar and the resort where Congress MLAs from Gujarat are being kept to protect them from BJP pressure in Gujarat to leave Congress in the wake of next Rajya Sabha polls.  

Meanwhile, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, senior Congress party leader Mallikarjuna Kharge has reportedly planned to raise the issue of IT raid in Lok Sabha session on Wednesday. Heated debates are expected to be held in Lok Sabha session today as Congress has been prepared to hit BJP heavily.

Congress leaders including Anand Sharma reacted to the incident in Rajya Sabha today and criticised move of the union government.