No money recovered by IT sleuths The reports on money recovered is all false My brother will come out clean The Centre is abusing its power to harass the Congress party
It's been over 24 hours, and the IT raids on properties belonging to Karnataka's Engery Minister DK Shivakumar are still on. In an exclusive interview to Asianet Newsable, mantri's brother DK Suresh says that no recoveries will vindicate DKS.
"Isn't it obvious that these raids are linked to Gujarat and the Rajya Sabha elections?" said DK Suresh, sounding distraught.
News of the IT raids against his brother DK Shivakumar, Karnataka's Power Minister, seems to have left the family disturbed. "But my brother is popular. And Congress is popular in Karnataka. The Centre is deliberately taking these steps to threaten us," he continued.
It's four days since 42 Gujarat MLAs set foot into Bengaluru with Shivakumar and Suresh playing hosts. Unseen footage of the raid officials interacting with the MLAs also came to light late night on August 2.
"My brother is a man who takes any issue head-on. For instance, this Gujarat issue. DK Shivakumar took the responsibility to safeguard the interests of the Congress party and the MLAs keeping Rajya Sabha elections and the victory of Ahmed Patel in mind," he said, "No wonder he is targeted."
DK Shivakumar is perceived as one of the strong Vokkaliga leaders in Karnataka. Vokkaligas form the second largest community, following the Lingayats in the state.
Remember, Shivakumar was in the race to become the state president of the party. Since they chose G Parameshwar, a dalit, the party decided to make DKS the chairman of Congress campaign committee for the upcoming 2018 assembly election in Karnataka.
"The move against DKS is strategically done keeping even Karnataka elections in mind," said Suresh, "Otherwise, why would they suddenly launch a raid of this kind suddenly at 70 different locations harassing a man, who has dutifully paid his taxes and returns all these years?" DK Suresh vehemently expressed that there was no money recovered in any of the locations.
"I don't know from where these reports are appearing. Forget Rs 11 crores or Rs 6.45 crores, not even a single rupee was recovered."
However, the brother is confident that DKS will come clean. "Right now, they have power to do anything. But law will take its own course. And we are ready for the legal battle," said DK Suresh.
