Bengaluru: Income Tax officials on Thursday carried out raids on offices, homes of Congress candidate Rizwan Arshad and prominent businessmen.

A team of more than 100 I-T sleuths conducted raids on the offices and residences of Palace Decoration owner Amanullah Khan, Golden Hatcheries owner Kamal Pasha and Realtor Naeez Khan. The three have reportedly mentioned that that they are the associates of Rizwan Arshad, Bengaluru Central constituency's Congress candidate.

The I-T raids began on Thursday at 6am and was conducted in more than 20 locations in Bengaluru.

Responding to this, Rizwan Arshad termed it a politically motivated attack. IT officials have allied themselves with the BJP party. Therefore they are repeatedly carrying out the raids on Congress and JDs leaders," Rizwan Arshad alleged.

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Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cut short her speech at a rally in her Bhabanipur constituency, alleging that the BJP was deliberately playing loud music from a nearby public meeting.

A peeved Banerjee said despite having the required permission of the Election Commission, her rally in Chakraberia was disrupted by the BJP, "who want to capture Bengal by intimidation and threat".

"It is not possible for me to go ahead with this meeting. If they can do such a thing in my constituency, imagine how undemocratic the BJP is. If they behave like this, I have to take legal action," she said.

"This is an insult, humiliation. BJP is stepping on our toes to instigate trouble. Not possible to address the gathering in this situation. I am leaving the stage. Please vote for me in your protest," she added.

Banerjee was then seen calling someone over and venting her grievances.

Before leaving the stage, she said, "I will hold a rally tomorrow at the same spot."

TMC supporters then rushed towards the BJP rally, which was later addressed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, but security personnel intervened and prevented the situation from escalating.

TMC workers later staged a demonstration outside the local police station and filed a complaint, alleging that the BJP violated the model code of conduct.

A senior TMC leader said another complaint will also be lodged with the Election Commission.

Asked about Banerjee's allegations, Adhikari told reporters after the rally he held nearby, "Her reaction shows she is nervous about the imminent loss."

"There was no violence, no obstruction in her meeting and her behaviour shows her nervousness. On May 4, people of Bhabanipur will celebrate the victory of the BJP," he claimed, alleging that the TMC also tried to disrupt his meeting by playing loud music.

South Kolkata's Bhabanipur, one of the battleground seats in the West Bengal elections, will vote in the second phase on April 29.