Bengaluru: Venting ire against the Income Tax Department that launched a series of raids over several business houses and persons allegedly supporting Congress and Janata Dal (S) in Karnataka, the two party’s top leaders came to streets last afternoon and organised a major protest in front of the I-T Department Office in Bengaluru.

The leaders of the two parties, including Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao, Chairman of Co-ordination Committee of Coalition Government Siddharamaiah, and others, lashed out at the BJP Government at the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for orchestrating the I-T raids targeting the Opposition leaders ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

No political motive

The I-T Department, in a statement, however, said there was no political motive but only after credible inputs received against some of the businessmen who were seen avoiding paying taxes and it was not against any MPs, MLAs, or State Ministers. The I-T sleuths who took security from Central forces conducted raids in over 17 locations in Mandya, Hassan, Mysuru and Bengaluru since late on Wednesday night which  continued till late last night.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said it was deplorable to use government machinery, corrupt officials to harass opponents during election time. Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the I-T raids on Opposition supporters was part of heinous agenda of the Modi government which wants to destroy Opposition parties and seriously damage the federal set up in the country.

Early warning to Modi

Former CM Siddharamaiah said the protest was to give an early warning to Modi. “This protest is attended by Karnataka CM, Ministers and top leaders. We have no objection if I-T officials conducting rids on hoarders of black money or amassing illegal assets. But it should not be politically motivated,” he said.

Kumaraswamy said that the top leaders of the two parties took part in the ‘symbolic’ protest to protect the federal structure of the country which is under threat.

An intimidation tactic

However, BJP State President B.S. Yeddyurappa came down heavily against the ruling coalition leaders for protesting against the Central agency, in front of its office terming it as an intimidation tactic. “CM Kumaraswamy’s tone and tenor against the I-T Department is a direct threat to the government agency. It also amounts to inciting the people to take law into their hands,” he charged.

State BJP Yuva Morcha General Secretary B.Y. Vijayendra said that the JD(S)-Congress leaders and their supporters need not fear about raids if they don’t have ill-gotten money. “Why do they fear if they are honest? They are protesting just to divert the attention of public from the real issue of corruption and politician-contractor-engineer nexus,” Vijayendra said.

In a press release, he said that it was wrong on the part of JD(S) and Congress to blame PM Modi for the raids. “The Department is an independent wing and it is doing its duty. Moreover, why there is so much of fuss over the raids if they are clean-handed,” he asked.