Chennai: Questioning the "timing and
selective" nature of tax raids targeting some party MLAs in
Karnataka, BJP Wednesday accused the Congress of misusing agencies
such as the Income Tax department and CBI in "a brazen manner"
to further its interests.
"Why is not the I-T department probing who paid for
the expenses of the dissident MLAs during their travel and
accommodation in Chennai, Kochi and Goa?" senior BJP leader
Venkaiah Naidu said.
The IT conducted widespread raids in Bangalore and
Bellary districts against seven BJP MLAs, including Ministers
and mining magnates Reddy brothers -- G Karunakara Reddy and G
Janardhana Reddy, amidst opposition charge that the ruling
party was luring away its MLAs to ensure its survival.
The Yeddyurappa government had to face two floor tests
in the Assembly after 16 MLAs, including 11 of its own,
withdrew support to it, plunging it into severest crises since
it assumed office two years ago.
Attacking Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj, Naidu
alleged his agenda was to destabilise the BJP Government and
he was "orchestrating" the dissidents` campaign against the
BJP.
"When all efforts failed, the IT department raids were
conducted against the BJP MLAs," he said.
He said the Congress had adopted "a 3D policy" of
diverting attention from its failures, destabilising
non-Congress governments and defaming adversaries.
He charged that ATS in Rajasthan was being misused to
defame RSS (by naming outfit`s leader Indresh Kumar in the
Ajmer blast case) and to "embarrass the BJP."
PTI
