Congress men target of IT raids: Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly plunged into uproar on Tuesday as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the recent income tax raids on Congress leaders in the state politically motivated and waved a CD released by his partymen on Monday of a conversation reportedly between BJP leaders, Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar talking of  payments made to their central leadership during the party's stint in power in the state.  

As the opposition BJP vociferously objected to the claim, the Congress members responded with slogans, raising a din in the House. Mr Siddaramaiah, who was replying to a debate on the Governor's address, began with being highly critical of the Centre's demonetisation move, claiming it had neither curbed black money nor  counterfeit currency.

Only the poor had suffered and around 125 people, waiting at ATMs to withdraw their money had died. After the demonetisation fiasco, the I-T raids were conducted only to tarnish the image of Congress leaders in the state, he charged.

Opposition leader, Jagadish Shettar at once objected, saying if the Speaker was allowing the issue to be raised, he should allow everyone to  debate on it. “The Chief Minister cannot say whatever he feels like. When we moved an adjournment motion on the issue, it was not allowed. How did the income tax raids unearth hundreds of crores?'' he demanded.

Mr Siddaramaiah shot back asking if the BJP leaders were in the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.  The state government had written  to the I-T department, seeking details of the raid on Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, but it had refused to give any, saying the matter was under investigation.

Waving the CD released by his partymen on Monday , the Chief Minister said the  conversation between the BJP leaders on it clearly showed  they were paying off their party's central leadership.

Angered by his claim, BJP members rose to their feet, arguing that the CD was fake.  Congress members responded with slogans and the BJP  members staged a walkout when the Speaker put the motion to vote. Meanwhile, responding to a query on the Mahadayi dispute from Congress MLA Yavagal, the Chief Minister said he intended to meet the Prime Minister to seek his intervention in the issue. 

Prove I am corrupt, i’ll quit, says CM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declared that he would not stay in power even for a minute if corruption charges against him were proved.  "I will retire from public life if anyone proves I am corrupt. I don't have a blot on my three- decade old political career".

Speaking on the motion of thanks to the governor's address in the Legislative Council on Tuesday,  he indirectly targeted BJP members for making baseless allegations against his government and said those sitting in  glass houses should not pelt stones at others.

“We all know how much assets leaders possessed when they entered politics and how much  they have now. We have collected all documents but are not interested in revealing details as it would amount to vindictive politics. If you indulge in such tricks, I would be compelled to make these documents public. Let us go to the people's court and let the people bless whichever party they want to support ". Slamming the BJP, Mr Siddaramaiah accused them of playing  vendetta politics by ensuring that Income Tax raids are conducted on ruling party members.