'BJP Is The Foundation Of Corruption': Karnataka Dy CM Amid Slugfest Over Rs 94 Cr Seized In IT Raids

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar pointed fingers at the BJP after the party levelled allegations against the Congress over the origins of Rs 94 crore cash seized in IT raids.

File Photo of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar

Source : PTI

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday strongly refuted allegations of corruption within the ruling Congress, pointing fingers at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His remarks come in the wake of an operation conducted by the Income Tax department, which resulted in the seizure of a staggering Rs 94 crore in cash, alongside gold and diamond jewellery valued at over Rs 8 crore. Approximately 30 luxury foreign wristwatches were also discovered during the raids, according to a statement by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

"Entire corruption is by BJP only. BJP is the foundation of corruption, that's why the people of Karnataka threw them away. Money that has been found is linked to BJP leaders and is nowhere connected to the Congress government," he asserted while speaking to news agency ANI.

Shivakumar further stated, "It is the brainchild of BJP. The book and whatever they have seized. I think it'll come out," suggesting that more revelations may surface. Additionally, he commented, "Lot of diaries have come out I am told, let them come out."

The operation, initiated on October 12, spanned 55 locations across Bengaluru and several cities in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi. While the official CBDT statement did not identify the accused parties, it is understood that government contractors and real estate developers were the focus of these searches.

The operation's aftermath has led to a political skirmish in Karnataka. The Congress party and the opposition BJP are engaged in a slugfest over the origins of the "unaccounted" cash. Nalin Kumar Kateel, BJP's state president, has alleged that the seized money was linked to the Congress. In contrast, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has vehemently denied these allegations, categorizing them as baseless.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday dismissed the BJP's allegations as politically motivated and groundless.

"Are there Congress contractors and BJP contractors? I call them BJP contractors. Where is the evidence?" he queried, as quoted by PTI.

Furthermore, Siddaramaiah responded to BJP's claims that the seized cash was destined for elections in five states, asserting, "We have no connection with it (money). Those states which are going to polls should fight on their own. When we fought the elections, did we go to other states asking for money? It is the people who bless. Our state has no connection with (elections in) other states."

Siddaramaiah also disregarded allegations by BJP leader C T Ravi that the Congress had a target of collecting Rs 1,000 crore in Karnataka for funding the party to fight the assembly polls, stating that the high command had not "asked us even for five paise".

The CBDT, the policymaking body for the Income Tax department, has reported the discovery of a substantial amount of "incriminating" evidence. This evidence encompasses loose sheets, hard copies of documents, and digital data seized from the entities and their associates under scrutiny.

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