If things are legal, we’ll back mantri, says HDK

Ben galuru, June 20: The Karnataka government would stand by water resources minister D. K. Shiva kumar, against whom a fourth summons has been issued by a court in connection with alleged tax evasion, if he has not done anything illegal, chief minister H. D. Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday.

“If things are legal, we will stand by ( Shivakumar). ... Let there be no doubts on that,” Mr Kumaraswamy said in response to a question whether the government would stand by Mr Shivakumar.

Asked whether the Centre was indulging in “hate politics”, he said, “.. It is going on for long now, in such matters the departments concerned should not budge to any pressure from politics of hate. They have to work in accordance with law. This is my opinion.”

Sources said a fourth summons was issued against Mr Shivakumar by a special court dealing with economic offences on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, deputy CM G. Parameshwara alleged that Central agencies were being misused against Congress leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Chitradurga, he alleged that Congress workers were being targeted and ED action and IT raids have been taking place “since a year before the ( state assembly) elections.” “If it is still happening, it can be said that Central government is misusing those agencies,” he said.

A senior income- tax official confirmed that the fourth summons was issued against Mr Shivakumar by the special court dealing with economic offences here.

Sources said along with Mr Shivakumar, case has been registered against his associates Sachin Narayan, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Anjaneya, Hanumanthaiah and Rajendra. — PTI