Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that the decision taken by his cabinet to withdraw Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in the disproportionate assets case is correct. Karnataka's Home Department on Thursday passed a proposal to withdraw the central body's probe against Shivakumar.
"The decision taken in the Cabinet is correct," said Siddaramaiah on Cabinet's decision to withdraw the consent given to CBI to investigate the disproportionate assets case against Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.
"We have made a decision within the framework of the law, within our limits... We will inform the court about the cabinet's decision. What the CBI will do next and what the court will do is up to them... The BJP-JDS interpretation is up to them. We have done what we have to do within the framework of the law," said Home Minister G Parameshwara.
Speaking on the matter, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said, "The then BJP's government... sanctioning to CBI itself was illegal. As per their own criteria, it didn't meet. I have spoken in detail about how they have misused the government, and how they have misconstrued the guidelines to ensure that the Congress leaders are tied up under the CBI, IT and ED. Their own government officers had written saying that there's no FIR and they can't give it to the CBI. So, where's the ambiguity? It is completely politically motivated."
Hitting out at the BJP, Kharge further said, "BJP can only threaten. They tried it through social media and agencies. Since yesterday they have been doing the same thing in the disproportionate case of DK Shivakumar. BJP is just spreading misinformation on this issue. The case against DK Shivakumar was politically motivated and it was filed to control Congress and Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar because they (BJP) were losing the elections...."
"I have seen it in the newspapers. I could not attend the cabinet meeting yesterday. I am going to Telangana for election campaigning for two days...," said DK Shivakumar while reacting to Cabinet's decision.
Targeting the Congress government, Karnataka BJP chief BY Vijayendra said, "The decision taken by the state cabinet pertaining to DK Shivakumar's disproportionate assets case. The decision of the cabinet is totally illegal under the Constitution. I request our deputy CM, DK Shivakumar, that if you have faith in the legal process and legal remedy, then please don't entertain such decisions taken by the cabinet... I demand CM to take back this decision. Crores of money have been seized in Karnataka and other states. When the ED is investigating the entire issue, then the decision of the cabinet is completely illegal."
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