Bengaluru, Sep 11 (IANS): Supporters of Karnataka Public Works Department Minister, Satish Jarkiholi, staged protests in Bengaluru and Gokak on Friday, condemning the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches at premises linked to the minister.
Hundreds of supporters gathered at Freedom Park in Bengaluru in support of sugar baron Jarkiholi and raised slogans seeking justice for their leader. They held posters carrying messages such as “We are with you always” and “We condemn conspiracy against Ahinda leader.”
The protesters also raised slogans against the ED and the Centre, alleging that the raids against Jarkiholi were politically motivated.
Similar protests were held in Gokak, Jarkiholi’s stronghold, where his supporters formed a human chain at Basava Circle and expressed their opposition to the ED searches.
Speaking about the development in Bengaluru today, Minister K.H. Muniyappa accused the ED of being used for political purposes and said the agency should not indulge in politics.
“The raids against Satish Jarkiholi are equivalent to the murder of democracy,” Muniyappa said. He alleged that the ED was being used against people who were financially well-off and refused to join the BJP.
“If they want to conduct raids in a justifiable manner, let them do so. If there are any issues or clarifications required, they should act according to the law. But conducting raids in an unjustifiable manner across the country is politics. This is criminal and condemnable,” he said.
Muniyappa also alleged that the BJP was carrying out political activities through the ED and claimed that the agency had not learnt its lessons despite criticism from the Supreme Court.
He said Jarkiholi, who is an industrialist would provide accounts and clarifications regarding the cash recovered during the searches and respond to the allegations against him through legal channels.
“Satish Jarkiholi will give accounts for the cash found and provide clarifications to the allegations,” Muniyappa said.
He further claimed that the people would teach the BJP a lesson in the 2029 elections.
Muniyappa said Jarkiholi would not be intimidated or forced to “bend” because of the ED searches.
The protests come after the ED conducted searches at multiple locations linked to sugar baron Jarkiholi in connection with its investigation. The searches have triggered a political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the BJP, with Congress leaders alleging political vendetta and the Opposition questioning the minister over the agency’s action.
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President B.K. Hariprasad also participated in the protest in Bengaluru.
