While the I-T sleuths continue raids on places owned by the members of the JD(S), minister Puttaraju blamed the BJP-backed independent candidate Sumalatha for the raids. On the other hand, Sumalatha returned the compliments, saying that it was the JD(S) which had targetted her supporters, by threatening to cancel the licences of the businesses they owned
Bengaluru: As the sleuths of the Income Tax department swooped in on the residences of the JD(S) minister CS Puttaraju and his relatives, he has pointed fingers at Sumalatha, the BJP-backed independent candidate for Mandya Lok Sabha poll.
But on the other hand, Sumalatha has made a scathing attack on the JD(S) itself in particular and Puttaraju in particular. She said that Puttaraju used to visit her residence often and address her as ‘akka’ or sister. But ever since she announced her resolve to contest from Mandya, he has turned hostile and playing truant, with an obvious intent to stymie her prospects.
Sumalatha further added that the JD(S) had stopped too low as it senses a defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In order to avert it, she openly alleged that the bigwigs of the JD(S) made a list or inventory of all the people who are supporting her.
And, in order to instill fear in them, she added that they are targetting their businesses (restaurants, hotels) saying that if they don’t withdraw their support, their licences would be invalidated.
Reiterating that she doesn’t have the power to issue orders to a central agency like the I-T department, she said any I-T raids can’t be done in a whimsical and quixotic manner. Also, she said that it takes no fewer than three months to make an assiduous and meticulous attempt at collecting information on the people to be raided.
Interestingly, on Wednesday, Sumalatha had openly said that the Centre had all the information related to illegal assets and properties of the members of the JD(S).
On Thursday morning, I-T sleuths held raids at several places in Hassan and Mandya. The ones who were raided included close associates of PWD minister HD Revanna as well.
It has to be mentioned that Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had openly said that raids would be held on Thursday against him and his relatives.
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