Bengaluru, Sep 15 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel on Tuesday pointed fingers at Karnataka Chief Minister over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi, alleging that people within the Congress could be behind the action, while D.K. Shivakumar hit back by challenging H.D. Kumaraswamy to release whatever documents he had against him.

The war of words between the two leaders escalated after Kumaraswamy said that preparations were being made to politically finish off Satish Jarkiholi, whom he described as an aspirant for the Chief Minister’s post.

Kumaraswamy, speaking in Hassan, said Satish Jarkiholi had not met him but had spoken about developments within the Congress and stated that someone within the party had filed a complaint against him.

“Satish Jarkiholi did not meet me. He himself stated about what is happening within his party and said that someone had filed a complaint against him. He also said that Minister Satish Jarkholi stated he had informed the Chief Minister about those who had filed the complaint,” Kumaraswamy said.

Questioning how the Chief Minister had information about possible future raids, Kumaraswamy said Shivakumar himself had stated that raids could be conducted at the residences of another three, four or five people.

“Who gave this information to the Chief Minister? Was it someone from the Congress? The Chief Minister himself should say who gave him the information. If Congress leaders themselves have filed the complaint, shouldn’t they be the ones to reveal it? Why couldn’t they themselves have orchestrated all this?” Kumaraswamy asked.

He further alleged that Congress leaders had earlier “finished off” former minister K.N. Rajanna and BJP MLA and former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi and that Satish Jarkiholi was now being targeted.

“Rajanna and Ramesh Jarkiholi were finished off. Now it is Satish Jarkiholi’s turn. Satish Jarkiholi is said to be an aspirant for the Chief Minister’s post, isn’t he? Therefore, preparations have been made to decide when and how Satish Jarkiholi should be finished politically,” Kumaraswamy alleged.

Kumaraswamy also said he would make further disclosures against Shivakumar and release documents at an appropriate time.

“He has been wondering at night when I will come and what I might have against him. I will not disappoint my media friends. I will give you good material. Vijayadashami is an auspicious time to begin a war, so I will start it then,” he said.

Responding to Kumaraswamy’s statements, Shivakumar challenged him to release whatever material he had.

“Let anyone say whatever they want, discuss whatever they want, and release whatever they want. Who can stop them?” Shivakumar said.

The Chief Minister made the remarks at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday when reporters sought his reaction to Kumaraswamy’s statements regarding the pen drive issue.

The exchange has further intensified the political confrontation between Kumaraswamy and Shivakumar, with both leaders daring each other to make disclosures and produce evidence.

–IANS

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