Bengaluru, Oct 23: Former Prime Minister H DDeve Gowda and ex-Chief Ministers H D Kumaraswamy andSiddaramaiah welcomed the Delhi HighCourt order on Wednesday granting bail to Congress leader D K Shivakumar in a money laundering case, filed by the Enforcement Directorate.
As the news about Shivakumar getting bail broke, his supporters and Congress workers celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets in Ramanagara, Belagavi, Tumakuru, Kanakapura, Mandya and near his Bengaluru residence.
"Delhi High Court granting bail to D K Shivakumar has increased common man's trust in country's judicial system. I welcome the court's decision," Gowda tweeted.
Shivakumar, a seven-time MLA, was arrested by the EDon September 3 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
"Getting bail from Delhi high court is happy news," Siddaramaiah told reporters at Bagalkote.
He alleged that Shivakumar was being politically targeted.
"...let them (ED) investigate, but sending to jail duringinvestigation is not right. On proving to be guilty one can besent to jail, but sending while the investigation is still onis not right. Vengeance politics is not right..," he added.
The 57-year-old Shivakumar is under judicial custody and presently lodged in Tihar jail.
Both the Congress and Shivakumar have claimed he was beingtargeted by the BJP-led government at the Centre by "misusing" investigating agencies.
"Delhi High Court granting bail to D K Shivakumar is a matter of happiness. On Monday I had met Shivakumar and tried to boost his courage, and expressed hope about him getting bail," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
The JD(S) leader who met Shivakumar at Tihar jail on Monday had said that the Congress leader was "bold" to fight "vengeance politics".
Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy, both Vokkaliga strong men, have been bitter political opponents in the old Mysuru region,until they came together for the formation of Congress-JD(S) coalition government, after 2018 assembly polls.
Shivakumar was a key minister in the Kumaraswamy cabinet and played a major rule in the stability of the coalition government until it collapsed in July, following resignation of several MLAs of the two parties, eventually leading to installation of the BJP government.
His arrest had lead to widespread protests, especially in Ramanagara, Bengaluru rural, Mandya and other parts of old Mysuru region.
It had even taken a caste colour with thousands of people belonging to the Vokkaliga community taking out a rally recently in Bengaluru protesting the arrest and expressing solidarity with him.
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Mumbai, Dec 9: Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Monday took a veiled swipe at Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar saying the Mahayuti after coming to power due to the Ladki Bahin Yojana was now working for the "ladka bhau" (beloved brother).
His remarks were in connection with the clean chit given to the NCP chief by the Prevention of Benami Property Transactions Appellate Tribunal in Delhi. The tribunal had dismissed allegations of benami property ownership against the deputy CM and his kin.
Without taking Pawar's name, Patole, speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan complex, said, "The Mahayuti claims to have come to power due to the Ladki Bahin Yojana. However, now that elections are over, the ladki bahin (beloved sister) is no longer needed. Instead, they are working for ladka bhau."
Within days of the Devendra Fadnavis government coming to power, "ladka bhau" had got a clean chit in connection with property worth Rs 1000 crore, he claimed.
"This government is clearly working for its favourites. This is just the beginning. Let us see what happens next," Patole claimed.
On the ruling alliance mocking his wafer-thin 208 vote victory margin from Sakoli in the November 20 assembly polls, Patole said such comments "ridicule the decision of voters and ignores public sentiments".
"This arrogance of power is unacceptable. Voters are the true kings of democracy. They have the right to question where their votes have gone." Patole said in an apparent reference to the EVM row.
Patole said the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi must be given the leader of opposition and deputy speaker posts in the assembly in keeping with the tradition of the Maharashtra legislature.
"When the Congress had significant majority (in the House), it used to respect opposition parties. The LoP post was given without questioning the numbers of opposition parties. I have discussed the matter with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. I hope LoP post is granted during Nagpur session (set to begin on December 16)," Patole said.