The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In a recent development, Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has openly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of misusing central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Income Tax Department (IT) to manipulate political narratives. This allegation followed the CBI’s raids on properties linked to Satyapal Malik, a former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, connected to a corruption case involving a hydropower project.
Siddaramaiah articulated his criticisms through a social media post, wherein he accused the BJP of employing these agencies to intimidate and silence Satyapal Malik, particularly after Malik’s critical remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisions post the Pulwama attack. He suggested that the BJP’s tactics were akin to a game of “hide and seek with the truth,” implying that the party was attempting to obscure facts and mislead the public. He further emphasized the power of elections as a means for the public to respond to these tactics.
The corruption case in question pertains to the alleged irregularities in awarding a contract for the Kiru Hydro Electric Power Project in Kisthtwar in 2019, valued at around Rs 2,200 crore. Malik, who served as the governor of Jammu and Kashmir from August 2018 to October 2019, has been a central figure in this investigation. In response to the raids, Malik, through a social media statement, expressed his distress and assured his stand with the farmers, stating his background as a farmer’s son and his resilience against such intimidation.
The CBI’s investigation has been extensive, involving searches across multiple locations in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. These searches have resulted in the recovery of significant evidence, including digital devices, property documents, and cash exceeding Rs 21 lakhs. The agency has highlighted deviations from e-tendering guidelines in the project’s awarding process. This case is one of the several high-profile investigations conducted by the CBI in recent times, adding to the political tension between the ruling BJP and opposition parties.
Siddaramaiah’s statements reflect a growing concern among opposition leaders regarding the alleged politicization of central investigative agencies. This issue has been a recurring theme in Indian politics, with various parties accusing each other of manipulating federal agencies for political gains. The latest developments in Karnataka and the involvement of high-profile figures like Satyapal Malik have brought this issue back into the spotlight, raising questions about the autonomy and integrity of these institutions.
