BJP hits back at Congress over ED probe, says corruption has no caste or political shield

Bengaluru, Sept 12: The BJP on Saturday hit back at the Congress over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe involving Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi, asserting that corruption has no caste and that allegations of political targeting cannot be used to shield anyone from a financial investigation.

Karnataka Legislative Council Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan launched a sharp counter-attack on the Congress, rejecting allegations that central agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department were being used by the BJP to target political opponents.

Narayanaswamy said these agencies were established during the Congress era and were constitutional institutions carrying out their statutory duties.

“CBI, Income Tax and ED were not created by the BJP. They are constitutional institutions created during the Congress era. They will do their work,” he said.

He said the Congress could not selectively question the functioning of the agencies whenever its leaders came under investigation.

“Corruption has no caste. If someone commits corruption, should they be spared merely because of their caste?” Narayanaswamy asked, accusing Congress leaders of repeatedly invoking the Dalit issue to portray investigations as targeting a particular community.

Ashwath Narayan questioned Jarkiholi's focus on finding out who had provided information to the ED instead of allowing the agency to complete its investigation.

He said the ED's responsibility was to establish accountability in financial transactions and investigate suspected money laundering, irrespective of whether the money was linked to business activities or alleged corruption.

“If there is corruption or if the money is related to business, the ED will investigate it. Whether the money was earned through business or corruption, the agency will establish the facts,” he said.

The BJP MLA said Jarkiholi had at least offered an explanation by stating that the ED action was related to his business activities, but alleged that other Congress leaders were prematurely describing the probe as political and caste-based targeting.

Narayanaswamy also accused the Congress of attempting to use caste as a defence against corruption allegations.

“The corrupt cannot be given a clean chit by invoking caste. All corrupt people are the same,” he said.

Ashwath Narayan further accused the Congress of a culture of misuse of power, corruption and nepotism, alleging that its leaders were raising questions about accountability because the investigation involved a member of their party.

The BJP leaders maintained that the ED should be allowed to complete its investigation and that its findings, rather than political allegations, should determine whether any wrongdoing had taken place.