New Delhi:
The Indian National Congress (INC) has condemned the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on senior party leader and former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, terming them as an example of "politics of harassment and vendetta" by the central government.
Addressing the media, Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, said that the ED's actions were clearly aimed at intimidating political opponents ahead of crucial elections. He stated, “This is not the first time opposition leaders have been targeted using central agencies. Whenever elections approach or the opposition questions the government, such raids begin. It is a pattern now.”
G Parameshwara, a senior Congress leader and influential Dalit face in Karnataka, was subjected to ED raids at multiple locations, including his residence and offices. The raids are reportedly linked to alleged irregularities in financial transactions and land dealings, although official details remain limited. The ED has not issued a public statement detailing the charges or the basis for the search operation.
Jairam Ramesh further added that such raids erode public trust in institutions and agencies that are supposed to function independently and without bias. “Instead of using investigative agencies for upholding the rule of law, the current regime appears to be using them to silence dissent and target political adversaries,” he said.
The Congress party has demanded transparency in the investigation process and urged the central government to stop misusing institutions like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department for political purposes. It also questioned why such agencies rarely take similar actions against leaders from the ruling party or its allies, despite serious allegations in some cases.
Karnataka Congress leaders have also come out in strong support of G Parameshwara, calling the raid an attempt to malign his reputation and damage his political standing. State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar said, “We stand firmly with Dr. Parameshwara. He has served Karnataka with integrity and dedication. The timing and intent of these raids raise serious questions.”
This incident comes amid a broader trend where multiple opposition leaders across different states have been investigated or raided by central agencies in the past few years. These include leaders from the Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, DMK, RJD, and others. The opposition has consistently alleged that these actions are timed to disrupt political activities and influence public perception.
Legal experts and political analysts have expressed concern over the increasing perception of bias in law enforcement. “Even if the agencies are acting on credible information, the absence of transparency and the one-sided nature of such actions fuels allegations of political targeting,” said a Delhi-based political analyst.
As of now, no formal charges have been filed against G Parameshwara, and the Congress has called for an impartial inquiry and accountability from the enforcement agencies.
