Hebbalkar calls ED raids on Jarkiholi politically motivated

Congress MLA and former Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar has condemned the Enforcement Directorate's raids on the residences and offices of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi, calling them politically motivated.

In a statement, Ms. Hebbalkar alleged that the searches targeting Mr. Jarkiholi and his family members were part of a pattern in which the BJP-led government at the Centre uses investigative agencies for political purposes. She said the raids were aimed at extracting political advantage because the BJP cannot tolerate the achievements of the Congress government in Karnataka.

"Instead of confronting political opponents in a democratic and fair manner, the BJP is misusing the investigative agencies," she said, adding that the Congress government in the State is delivering pro-people governance.

Ms. Hebbalkar said the BJP is unable to accept the government's welfare schemes, programmes and development works, and is therefore targeting Congress leaders politically. She described the use of agencies such as the ED and the CBI against political opponents as an unhealthy trend in a democracy.

Describing Mr. Jarkiholi as a senior Congress leader who has contributed to the development of both the party and the State, she said the party would stand united against attempts to pressure him through investigative agencies. There is no question of being afraid of such political machinations, she added.

Ms. Hebbalkar also urged investigative agencies to maintain their autonomy and act impartially, and said political differences should not be settled through such agencies. In a democracy, she said, opposition parties and political opponents should be confronted politically.

She alleged that the BJP appears to believe it can intimidate Congress leaders and weaken them politically, but asserted that it will never succeed. The Congress, she said, will always stand for truth and justice and will remain united against what she called vindictive politics.