Here's why DK Shivakumar's story not over yet!
- The IT raid on Energy minister DK Shivakumar has left him unfazed
- He told the media that he will answer to all the charges levelled against him with documents
- If he comes out clean on the allegations of hoarding wealth and tax evasion, nothing could stop Shivakumar from rising in the party ranks
FollowEnergy minister DK Shivakumar who is highly regarded as the party's trouble shooter in critical times by the party high command may emerge as the more powerful leader in the future days, if he comes out clean in the IT raid.
In fact, the timing of the raid has come advantageous to the minister. For, the minister volunteered to protect the Congress leaders from Gujarat ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections there. The minister took the responsibility to host them at the luxurious Eagelton Resort near Bidadi to prevent them from BJP poaching. But little did he realise that the Income Tax officials come knocking at his doors.
So far, the IT officials have raided in 60 places in connection with the raid on the minister and have allegedly found Rs 300 crore worth undisclosed properties from these raids. But nothing seemed to have deterred Shivakumar who spoke to the media after the raids were completed. He told the media that "Truth cannot be hidden. I will answer all the charges against me with the documents. Till then, I will not take any questions." If at all he comes clean in the raid - which the Congress claims a political vendetta - the minister will be in the good books of the high command, reports Kannada Prabha.
As per the reports available, only Rs 42 lakh was found during the raid at the minister's house. While Shivakumar has reportedly given accounts to Rs 40 lakh, he has sought time to give proof to the remaining Rs 2 lakh. This may not attract serious case against him. Besides, if the raid on his relatives and acquaintances fail to establish any illegality with regard to the minister, Shivakumar will certainly earn brownie points, reports Kannada Prabha.
It may be recalled here that Shivakumar has successfully carried out the responsibilities assigned on him by the party high command. The high command had entrusted him with poll duties in the neighbouring states in Kerala and other states. Besides, when the Vilasrao Deshmukh government was in trouble in Maharashtra - almost a decade ago - the party had sought Shivakumar's help. Then Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna had asked Shivakumar to come to the party's rescue and Shivakumar had hosted the Maharashtra legislators.
This time too, Shivakumar volunteered to work for the party when BJP was trying to defeat AICC president Sonia Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha elections. And at the same time, the IT sleuths swooped on him. The raid did not discourage Shivakumar instead bolstered his image, feel a few Congress leaders, reports Kannada Prabha.
After three days of raid, the minister was back at the Eagleton resort where he had hosted Gujarat Congress leaders. This will certainly prove his loyalty to the party and the party high command is expected to return the same favour to the minister, if he comes out clean in the IT blight.
