Ballari
Former Karnataka Minister B. Nagendra has alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid on the residence of Minister and senior Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi was politically motivated. He claimed that more Congress leaders could face similar raids in the future.
Nagendra said the raid had created a perception among the public that political interests were behind the action. He said Jarkiholi is a senior Congress leader who could aspire to a higher position in the future, and alleged that this was one of the reasons he was being targeted.
“The ED and CBI have become puppets of the BJP at the Centre,” Nagendra alleged, adding that the Congress party stood firmly behind Satish Jarkiholi. He also predicted that more Congress leaders could face raids in the coming days.
Commenting on the BJP’s recent padayatra, Nagendra mocked the opposition party’s campaign and said its leaders had undertaken the march without a substantive issue. He sarcastically suggested that the foot march may have helped them reduce body fat and cholesterol.
Nagendra said he did not resign from his ministerial position out of fear of the BJP. He claimed that he stepped down to prevent embarrassment to the Congress party. He also said the BJP should become stronger ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, as the Congress was prepared to face its challenge.
Responding to the BJP’s claim that it would win 10 seats in the undivided Ballari region, Nagendra said the Congress accepted the challenge. He expressed confidence that the Congress would emerge victorious not only in Ballari but across Karnataka.
