I haven’t received any notice from ED: D.K Shivakumar
“I’m not a coward, I won’t run way”
Bengaluru, September 19: “I have not received any notice from the Enforcement Directorate. I have neither cheated anybody nor stolen anything. I have not raped. I have not done anything which is illegal. So, I am not a coward to run away for the allegations being made by the BJP”, said Water Resource Minister DK Shivakumar.
Speaking to reporters at his residence here on Wednesday, Shivakumar said that “I have come from the hospital to give answer to the allegations made by the BJP spokesperson Sandeep Patra against me. It is good news that the BJP has admitted its role in the autonomous institutions of the central government. When Gujarat Congress MLAs were there at a resort in my district on August 2, 2017, the Income Tax department had conducted raids on 82 places belonging to me, my family, friends and relatives. With this, the BJP had tried to attract the MLAs who were in our custody”, he alleged.
Because of ill-health, he was admitted to the hospital. But some media have reported that he was admitted to the hospital as ED has issued a notice. He was not a coward. He would not run away. Did ED require one year to file a case against him, he asked.
“I respect the law of the land. I have responded and cooperated to the investigation of the Income Tax department officials. If I get notice from the ED, I would cooperate with them. I will come out with clean image. I have not done any mistake. The amount of Rs 6.8 crore or Rs 8 crore was not belonging to me. It belonged to my friends. But it was shown as if it was belonged to me. Rs 41 lakh found in my house belongs to me. If the IT department asked the information, I will show all the records and sources”, he said.
“IT officials have tortured my family members and friends. They have threatened my office staff and got the statements forcefully. I would not budge to any of these tortures. I have not given any amount to my party and party leaders. In which diary the code words SG, RG are there? Didn’t Sandeep Patra know what the court has said about the Jain Diary, Advani Diary, Modi diary and others, he asked.
Yeddyurappa had taken bribe through cheques. It was clarified by the IT investigating officials. Would the BJP answer about it? Yeddyurappa was day dreaming of forming BJP government in a couple of days by sending him to the jail. He would not fear about the jail. He would face everything. Nothing was permanent in the politics, Shivakumar said.
In view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, the BJP leaders have been trying to damage the Congress. The BJP people could not form the government in the state. They have lured the Congress MLAs with money and position. He would disclose everything in an appropriate time. BJP leaders should understand that it might be in power or not. But the autonomous institutions would remain permanently. “Sandeep Patra does not know what documents the IT officials have taken from my home. Let ED officials call me. I will tell them everything. I will display all the diaries and copies before the people of the country. In 2019, the country will show you the result for your deeds. You cannot blackmail us. When raids were conducted on 82 places, the officials have forcefully got the statements from my staff, friends and family members that all property and documents belonged to me. We will fight in the court of law and prove it wrong”, he said.
“Even if they send me to the jail, the BJP cannot form the government in the state. For what purpose they will arrest me? I have not done any hawala. Rs 41 laklh was my money and remaining amount belonged to my friends. There are no confusions in my party. Why should I get anticipatory bail”, he asked.
“I have accounts for every single rupee I have. I have paid Rs 30 crore tax from my family. I should have sent four MLAs during Gujarat Rajga Sabha election. But I have not betrayed the party. BJP Lok Sabha Members have informed my brother DK Suresh about the conspiracy being hatched out against me by the BJP leaders. This is not good for the BJP people. Even the Chief Minister is aware of all these issues. I will not budge to any pressure”, he said.
“Why should I resign? Those who have been to jail will become CM candidate (Yeddyurappa) and those who were in jail became the national president of the party (Amith Shah). Before any charge sheet against me, they are asking my resignation. They have been trying to mislead the court by putting pressure on it”.
- DK Shivakumar, Water Resources Minister
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Cabinet reshuffle is CM's prerogative in consultation with Cong high command: G Parameshwara
Bengaluru(PTI): Amid speculation that a cabinet reshuffle was on the cards, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister and he would take a decision in consultation with the state Congress President and the high command.
Deputy CM and state Congress chief D K Shivakumar's statement on Tuesday indicating the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle in the days ahead, noting that few Ministers have been given a "message" about their term, has further fueled the speculations about the rejig.
"I don't know about it. Cabinet reshuffle is the Chief Minister's prerogative. He will consult the Pradesh Congress Committee President and go about it, this has been the practice. I don't know what decisions they make. It has to be done in consultation with the high command," Parameshwara told reporters.
To a question on Shivakumar's statement, he said, "He (Shivakumar) is the party state President, I don't know what messages he has sent (to some Ministers)."
Speculations are rife about a cabinet reshuffle and evaluation of the performance of the Ministers ever since the Lok Sabha poll results. There has also been demand from a section of MLAs, who are Ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the cabinet. Some have openly expressed their wish to become Ministers.
To a question on a seer's comments that the voting rights of Muslims should be revoked, the Home Minister said, making remarks contrary to the Constitution is not right, and no one should speak or go against it.
"Probably he (seer) has not properly seen the principles of the Constitution and the rights and opportunities provided in it for every community and religion. It is clear in the Constitution," he said.
Asked about Congress MLA H R Gaviyappa publicly asking the CM to drop at least two of the five ‘guarantee’ schemes to provide money for development works, the state Home Minister said, "Any legislator asking for funds to his constituency is not wrong, so Gaviyappa is not wrong in asking for funds for his constituency."
"But unfortunately he has expressed his personal opinion regarding the guarantee schemes. That has been taken by the party and the government. We had promised the people of the state that we will full the promises, so we are implementing them. We cannot go back on that," he added.
Deputy CM Shivakumar had on Tuesday said he would issue a showcause notice to Gaviyappa and warned party leaders against making such statements regarding guarantee schemes.
Responding to a question on an Assamese girl found murdered at a serviced apartment in east Bengaluru, Parameshwra said such incidents in a way bring bad name to the city.
"It (alleged murder) is on very personal grounds. Both of them (suspect and victim) knew each other and were in love. They had stayed in a hotel room and he has stabbed her there. Both of them are outsiders. She is from Assam and he is from Kerala. Police keep watch on such things, but when such incidents occur, it in a way brings a bad name to the city," he said.
Asked about the suicide of a woman, who is a suspect in the alleged scam in Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation, the Minister said investigation is on, can't say anything further until the probe is over.
On the protest by prisoners against the jail authorities at Kalaburagi central prison, alleging lack of facilities there, Parameshwara said he will speak to DG (Director General) Prisons about it.
"Already we have reviewed all the jails. If there are any necessities there it will be fulfilled. I will give instructions to the DG," he said.
