Income Tax officials raid office, residence of Congress ticket aspirant in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Hours after Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah alleged that the Union government was unleashing central agencies on Congress leaders and candidates, the Income Tax Department on Wednesday raided the office and residences of two businessmen, Gurappa Naidu and Basappa in Banashankari 2nd Stage.

The house of a businessman which was raided.

Gurappa Naidu, who runs a gold jewellery business, is said to be a Congress ticket aspirant from Padmanabha Nagar constituency and is associated with a cooperative bank. His associates are also said to be under the scanner.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accused the opposition of indulding in corruption.

Reacting to the Congress allegation that the BJP is misusing central agencies as it fears defeat in the Assembly election, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “Why should they feel guilty about it? The Election Commission is supervising everything. They are scared that whatever black money they have made over these years will be exposed. The Election Commission too is conducting raids and they are seizing material from all parties. The Election Commission is an independent, Constitutional body”.