A day after the ncome Tax (I-T) department filed its fourth case of tax evasion against Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar, the senior Congress leader on Wednesday termed it a “political vendetta” by the BJP at the Centre.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar also claimed he had “secret diaries” which could expose BJP leaders and other bigwigs in the state and outside.
“I will make the diaries public when there are no other legal opinions before me”, Shivakumar, who played a key role in installing the JD(S)–Congress coalition government in the state in May, said.
The I-T officials had already filed three cases against Shivakumar pertaining to three income tax assessment years from 2015-16. The fourth case pertains to the assessment year (2018-19), following raids at various places. “I do not know why they are harassing me. They are trying to scare me, but I do not fear anybody,” Shivakumar said. The minister wondered why he alone was being targeted. “There have been raids on other politicians, diaries have been found... but they are only harassing me,” he said. Shivakumar also said he had received notice following the raids but there had been no summons from the I-T department. “They are trying to fix me in the I-T case, but I have done nothing wrong. I will come out clean, I have full faith in the judiciary,” the Vokkaliga strongman added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy batted in favour of his arch political rival Shivakumar, who is under the I-T and ED scanner. Speaking to reporters at his home office Krishna, Kumaraswamy said that the government will back him.
He also said that there is no need for Shivakumar to tender resignation - a demand made by the BJP. “Shivakumar is fighting a legal battle. The government will stand by him. How many times have the BJP leaders resigned owning moral responsibility? What is the need for Shivakumar to resign,” he asked.