Siddaramaiah accuses Modi govt of misusing I-T department in poll-bound Karnataka

Bengaluru, Apr 24: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA Government at the Centre of misusing the income tax department to scare Congress leaders in poll-bound Karnataka.

He was reacting to reports of I-T raids on various contractors across Karnataka on Tuesday. Rumours were doing rounds that PWD minister HC Mahadevappa’s house also was raided. However, Mahadevappa, as well as the I-T department, denied that any raids were underway at properties of the Minister.

Speaking to reporters before leaving for Badami to file his nomination papers, Siddaramaiah said, "It is very unfortunate that the Union Government is misusing a vital department to disturb Congress leaders. IT department raid on HC Mahadevappa's residence in Mysuru is politically motivated," he said.

He also asked why the department had not raided residences of opposition leaders Jagadish Shettar or BJP Chief BS Yeddyurappa. "Why are only Congress leaders being targetted. These tactics will not scare us," he said.

Also Read: Amidst poll-preparations, IT raids several contractors across Karnataka