IT raids: Centre targeting Congress leaders: Siddaramaiah

Mysuru, Aug 30: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today reiterated his allegation that the NDA government headed by BJP is targeting only the Congress leaders and the raids by IT officials were politically motivated. The Chief Minister's reaction was in the wake of IT raid on Energy Minister D K Shivakumar’s associate Vijay Mulagund residence in Bengaluru since this morning. Speaking to newsmen here, he termed it as 'political conspiracy by BJP-led NDA government. "I’m not against raids by the IT department, if they have information they can do it, however, why only Congress leaders targeted, he questioned." He alleged that the raids were held to tarnish the image of ruling Congress since election is due early next year. Mr Siddaramaiah said that the Congress party is strong and the party and leaders are not afraid of such politically motivated acts and people will teach them lesson at an appropriate time. The Chief Minister was in the city to participate in various development works. UNI