DK Shivakumar Defends Donations Amid ED Investigations
VIJAYAPURA/MYSURU: In a recent revelation, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar acknowledged that he and his brother, former MP DK Suresh, contributed Rs 50 lakh to the National Herald newspaper, questioning the legality of their donations. Amid reports suggesting their names appear in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) charge sheet, Shivakumar addressed reporters in Vijayapura district.
Clarifying the Donations
Shivakumar stated, “My brother Suresh and I donated Rs 25 lakh each. What is wrong with that? We donated to a newspaper run by our party.” This statement emphasizes their intention to support a publication aligned with their political beliefs. He further commented on allegations regarding a trust’s donation of Rs 2.5 crore, asserting, “This wasn’t done illegally. We donated from our incomes and properties.”
Response from DK Suresh
DK Suresh, in Bengaluru, corroborated his brother’s claims, confirming their trust’s contributions. “We answered all questions posed by ED officers. We had no information that donating was wrong,” he explained. He underscored that the funds were part of their Income Tax declarations and clarified that the trust they donated to, Young India, was not for personal gain.
Political Implications
Amidst these developments, Suresh asserted that the ongoing charge sheets appear to be a tactic to “fix” Congress members. This sentiment was echoed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who asserted, “Are donations wrong? There is nothing wrong with donations.” This highlights the internal dynamics within the Congress Party regarding political donations.
Accusations Against the Government
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy alleged that state Congress officials had orchestrated ED search operations targeting an educational institution linked to Home Minister G Parameshwara. Kumaraswamy contended that Parameshwara was being targeted in a gold smuggling case as part of a greater strategy to undermine his influence within the party. He suggested that recent efforts by Parameshwara to engage with Dalit functionaries could have prompted this political maneuver.
Response from Union Ministers
In Gadag, Union Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi echoed similar sentiments, stating that the ED’s investigation stemmed from information provided by Congress insiders. “ED is only doing its duty,” he remarked, asserting that the Union government does not intend to trouble Parameshwara unless legitimate information comes forward.
Political Allegations and Counterclaims
Reacting to Kumaraswamy’s assertions, Shivakumar dismissed the Union minister’s claims, labeling them as synonymous with dishonesty. CM Siddaramaiah criticized the ED raids, describing them as politically motivated. “While I will not say to not conduct raids at all, they should not be politically motivated,” he stated, highlighting concerns over the integrity of the investigation process.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the ramifications of these allegations and counterclaims underscore the tension within Karnataka’s political framework. The controversy surrounding the donations and subsequent investigations raises critical questions about transparency and accountability in political financing.
