Bengaluru sources stated that Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had sought the Election Commission's intervention to stop the Income Tax department raids on contractors and businessmen allegedly associated with the ruling JD-S and Congress. Kumaraswamy said in a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer "As IT officials continue to raid those associated with our allies, he appeals to the poll panel to direct the tax department to stop the searches being carried under pressure from the Modi government”.
Furthermore protesting against those identifying with the JD-S and Congress since Thursday, Kumaraswamy staged a demonstration at the IT department office in the city along with Congress leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, its legislative party leader Siddaramaiah and Congress state unit President Dinesh Gundu Rao and hundreds of supporters and officials continued their raids on Friday and Saturday.
Moreover they raided rice and sugar mills of Congress and JD-S workers at Mandya and Mysore till 4 a.m. on Saturday and have put spy cameras in their premises. Disguising themselves as railway officials, they borrowed vehicles and are staying at the state run CFTRI at Mysuru." Reportedly the Chief Minister called the raids a "shameful attempt to threaten the ruling allies and create fear among their cadres" and urged the panel to prevent harassment.
