Accused being forced to name CM, DCM in Valmiki scam: Karnataka Ministers claim
Bengaluru: Ministers in Karnataka have raised concerns over the selective investigation tactics of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Valmiki Corporation scam. They questioned why similar attention was not given to scams that occurred under the previous BJP government.
During a press conference at Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka's Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, along with Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Dinesh Gundu Rao, KJ George, and Santosh Lad, criticized the central agencies' approach.
Kharge pointed out scams in various corporations and trusts, such as the APMC, Bovi Corporation, Karnataka Handicrafts Development Corporation, Dr. Ambedkar Development Corporation, and Devaraj Arasu Trust, questioning why these were not investigated.
Kharge accused the BJP of a pattern of overthrowing state governments through strategic operations in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Gujarat. He presented statistics claiming that since 2014, 444 MLAs have been influenced through agencies like the IT department, ED, and CBI to destabilize governments with a majority.
Kharge also alleged that ED officials are pressuring individuals involved in the Valmiki Corporation scam to name the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and other ministers as part of the investigation.
He questioned why cases against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and the Reddy brothers were not being pursued, suggesting that those who refuse to join the BJP face undue pressure.
Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda also raised these concerns, accusing the central government of misusing investigative agencies like the IT, ED, and CBI to target states with opposition governments. He claimed that forced statements were being extracted during the Valmiki Corporation scam investigation to implicate government officials.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
