ED Targeting Satish Jarkiholi as He is “Tallest” ST Leader: Surjewala

Bengaluru: AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday alleged that Karnataka minister Satish Jarkiholi was being targeted by the ED because he is the "tallest leader" of ST and poorer communities in the state, while asserting that the Congress party will stand in solidarity with him.

The Rajya Sabha MP also defended the state Congress government's decision to limit Vande Mataram to two stanzas at official events in Karnataka.

"The story of the hounding and prosecution of senior Congress leaders, particularly, the BJP's revengeful attitude against SC/ST leaders is now stale. Satish Jarkiholi has been targeted a second time now by the BJP government at the Centre. BJP State leaders are hostile to Mr. Jarkiholi, and they tell their masters in Delhi to raid Jarkiholi, for he is the tallest ST leader and leader of the poorer communities in the state, and he is recognised outside the state in neighbouring states also," Surjewala said in response to a question on the recent Enforcement Directorate searches related to the state minister.

Speaking to reporters, here he listed the raids conducted by central agencies on several Congress leaders and ministers in the state including CM DK Shivakumar.

"So, look at the list. Either most of these leaders are SC/ST, OBC leaders, or sons of farmers. BJP thinks they can intimidate us, they can make us bow down. They are sadly mistaken. It's a frustrated, divided, BJP involved in a fratricidal war in Karnataka. That is attacking our AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) leaders. We will not be deterred or cowed down. The entire party stands in solidarity with Satish Jarkiholi, and with all our leaders," he added.

Commending B Nagendra, who resigned from the Cabinet following allegations of embezzling crores of rupees in the state run Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, the AICC leader said he voluntarily stepped down, stating the party must not be harmed.

"On the other side, sanction for prosecution is awaited against H D Kumaraswamy (Union Minister), Renukacharya (BJP leader), and. Janardhan Reddy (BJP MLA). Why is the Governor not giving section for prosecution there. This has been pending for years," he said, adding that this shows the BJP's "vengeful attitude" and the prejudicial manner in which they are functioning.

Out of over 8,000-9,000 cases the ED filed, they only actually succeeded in 39 cases, he further claimed.

"So, less said the better; the ED is an election department machine because elections are now one year and nine months away (in Karnataka). So that's why ED has come, very soon income tax and CBI will come, and six months before (polls) Mr. Modi and Mr. Amit Shah will come. We will not be deterred."

Responding to a question about the lack of women's representation in the Shivakumar-led cabinet, Surjewala said discussions are ongoing regarding this matter and it will be sorted out soon. Top party leader Rahul Gandhi was "extremely serious as far as women empowerment goes."

"I have conceded earlier, and I must say to you today, again, this is not Delhi's (high command) fault. It is the fault of general secretary, AICC in charge Karnataka (Surjewala himself), who could not decide on account of certain political exigencies. We are in discussion with various deserving candidates. So very soon we will sort out this issue after consulting the CM and PCC President," he said.

Hitting out at opposition parties for criticising the Congress on lack of women's representation, he pointed out that when Kumaraswamy was the CM, he held the women and child development portfolio for the long time.

Defending the state government's decision to limit Vande Mataram to two stanzas at official events, Surjewala hit out at the BJP and its leaders on the issue.

"Sadly, those who never participated in freedom movements, those who do not know the history of Vande Mataram, those who insult, none less than Rabindranath Tagore, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gandhiji, Nehru and all the freedom fighters are now speaking... Does Mr. Vijayendra (state BJP chief) even know when Vande Matram was first sung by the Indian National Congress," he asked.

Stating that singing two stanza of Vande Mataram was first decided by the likes of Tagore, Subhas Chandra Bose, Patel, Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, and it had continued, he further said, " We have still shown respect. My chief minister, my PCC president, and my party has shown respect."

"Whenever President of India will come, Governor will come, Prime Minister will come, whatever is government of India protocol we will follow. Otherwise, we will follow what Tagore, and the Constituent Assembly of India said. "