IT raids on DK Shivakumar: Minister victim of his karma, says HD Deve Gowda

BENGALURU: Declining to take a stand on IT raids on his archrival and energy minister D K Shivakumar's residences and other places, JD (S) president H D Deve Gowda said misuse of power was common, but took potshots at the minister for weaning away his party legislators ahead of Rajya Sabha polls in Karnataka last year.

He told the media: "I know everything. They have power and we cannot do anything. Raids happen everywhere," he said while citing the example of similar action by officers of Lokayukta against his eldest son and retired bureaucrat, Mr H D Balakrishna Gowda.

"They have got around 30-40 legislators from Gujarat. I also know how many JD (S) legislators were taken to Delhi to ensure the defeat our Rajya Sabha candidate Mr Farooq. This is not the right time to react,'' he added.

Mr Gowda and Mr Shivakumar have contested against each other in several elections and leveled allegations and counter on many occasions.

Mr Shivakumar has proved a constant source of trouble for Mr Gowda and his kin. Often, JD (S) legislators have turned to Mr Shivakumar for political patronage after falling out with Mr Gowda and his sons.

In 2016, Mr Shivakumar backed his buddy and retired IPS officer Mr K C Ramamurthy for a seat in Rajya Sabha polls. When JD(S) decided to field Mr Farooq, he engineered cross voting by eight JD (S) MLAs. These legislators were subsequently suspended from the party.