‘Political vendetta’: Ministers Priyank Kharge, Ramalinga Reddy on ED raids on Parameshwara

BENGALURU: Rural Development and IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday called Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) raids on the educational institutions linked to state’s Home Minister G Parameshwara a “political vendetta.”

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On the ED raids at several locations allegedly linked to Karnataka HM G Parameshwara, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge says, “This is political targeting. There is nothing new in what the IT and ED have been doing…This is just another intimidation tactic… pic.twitter.com/hKaUoc5Id6

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2025

Speaking to the media about the raids, Priyank Kharge said this is another “intimidation tactic” by central government. “This is political targeting. There is nothing new in what the IT and ED have been doing…This is just another intimidation tactic by the central government…This is a political vendetta,” he said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | On the ED raids at several locations allegedly linked to Karnataka HM G Parameshwara, Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy says, “…ED, IT, CBI are being used for political reasons to destabilise governments of other parties…” pic.twitter.com/FJFdOaaAdA

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2025

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy accused central government of using the probe agencies like ED and CBI for “political reasons”. “ED, IT, CBI are being used for political reasons to destabilise governments of other parties,” he said. In addition, he said, “Whether it is ED or IT, we have seen that they are in a mood to take vengeance against our leaders.”

Earlier in the day, G Parameshwara asserted that he is “prepared to cooperate” with whatever the outcome of the probe.

“Yesterday, ED officers visited our institutions–Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Siddhartha Medical College at Tumkur, Siddhartha Medical College at Begur and Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education. I instructed my staff to cooperate with them and give whatever information they asked for…They questioned our accounts section. The search is still going on,” G Parameshwara said.

#WATCH | Bengaluru | Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara says, “Yesterday, ED officers visited our institutions—Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Siddhartha Medical College at Tumkur, Siddhartha Medical College at Begur and Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education. I… pic.twitter.com/pzlKnvRSgs

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2025

“Being a person who believes in the law of the country, whatever comes out of the verification or search, I am prepared to cooperate,” he said. Parameshwara refused to comment when asked about the reports linking these searches to the Actor Ranya Rao gold smuggling case. “I don’t what to comment at this point of time. Let the investigation be completed,” he said.

Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after officials from the DRI found her carrying gold. On Tuesday, the Economic Offences Court granted conditional bail to the Kannada actor in the smuggling case. (ANI)