Bengaluru: Following rumours about his possible arrest in a disproportionate assets case, Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday declared that he will not run away like a robber or a criminal as he was not scared of being investigated.
Speaking to reporters at his house in an upscale locality here, a relaxed looking Mr Shivakumar who is gearing up to apply for anticipatory bail, claimed that he had not committed any crime and so his conscience is clean.
“I have already submitted a detailed account of the money that was seized from my houses. In the same manner, my friends and relatives whose houses were raided have also filed Income Tax returns. I haven’t transferred money illegally nor have I indulged in any form of transfer of money to any foreign country. I have properties in Delhi and here (Karnataka), all of them have been declared (to the authorities). So, I really do not have to fear anything,” he claimed.
In a response to a question, Mr Shivakumar calmly responded that he hasn’t received any notice from anyone yet. “If I receive any notice, I am capable of answering to it. Certainly I will cooperate with the Central investigation agencies, as I have nothing to hide. I have neither had offshore accounts nor properties abroad,” he asserted.
Accusing the BJP and a section of the media of trying to malign his reputation, Mr Shivakumar said he was a seasoned politician and ready to handle any situation. “Politics is not football. It's chess, and I am well versed in both. Why should I be scared when I haven't done anything wrong? I am clean, honest and dedicated. I am being hounded by the media, which has been repeatedly broadcasting that I will be arrested. I am not a criminal. I don't possess any ill-gotten wealth,” he contended.
Endorsing his younger brother, D.K. Suresh’s claim that the BJP state president had written a letter to central agencies, Mr Shivakumar caustically remarked that he knew from his sources in the BJP that the letter was written by Mr Yeddyurappa’s close aide, B.J. Puttaswamy but the covering letter on this was written by Mr Yeddyurappa himself. “Mr Yeddyurappa is my friend. But I don't know why he is denying that he wrote to the IT department. Politically we might differ the basic ideology of our parties is different. But we have mutual respect for each other. Ironically, Mr Yeddyurappa too is facing many charges,” Mr Shivakumar said.
Continuing in the same breath, the minister said, “I would like my adversaries to know that I am not naïve. It is common for rivals to target powerful politicians. I entered Vidhana Soudha at the age of 27. I came to Bengaluru to be in politics. The BJP is making desperate attempts to destabilise the coalition government by poaching on ruling party MLAs. Those MLAs have informed me about this. But, I know the number game. There is lot of difference between 104 (BJP strength in Assembly) and 118 (coalition strength in the House).”
