Congress workers stage human chain in Chikkodi against ED raids on Jarkiholi

Congress workers staged a rally in Chikkodi on Thursday to protest against Enforcement Directorate raids on Minister Satish Jarkiholi, his family members and associates.

The protesters assembled in front of the office of MP Priyankar Jarkiholi before marching to Basaveshwara Circle, where they formed a human chain and voiced their anger against the Union government.

Participants alleged that the BJP-led NDA government was deliberately misusing agencies such as the ED to conduct the raids. They claimed the action stemmed from the ruling party's fear that Mr. Jarkiholi could become the next Chief Minister of Karnataka, and from jealousy over his growing public standing.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee member Arjun Naikwadi said the NDA's strong-arm tactics would not succeed. Another party member, Raju Kotagi, challenged the BJP to carry out similar raids on its own leaders in various States who face serious allegations.

Youth Congress leader Jeevan Manjrekar described Mr. Jarkiholi as innocent and expressed confidence that he would respond to the attacks through legal means.

Among those present were P.I. Kore, H.S. Nasalapure, Shankar Gouda Patil, Uday Waghmare, Sujatha Kamble, Sangeetha Kamble, Shivanand Mayrai, Sheetal Munde, Rudrappa Sangappagola, Ramakrishna Panagude, Imam Patel, Sabir Patel, Krishna Jugule, Abbas Ali Koganoli, Karappa Itanal and Sanju Kamble.