BENGALURU: Following the IT raids on the residential and office premises of Karnakata energy minister D K Shivakumar, Congress leaders have now expressed apprehensions of similar raids on the premises of other ministers in the Siddaramaiah cabinet.
Water resources minister MB Patil came out openly on the issue even as the raids were underway in Shivakumar's home. "I am next in the line of target. BJP is misusing the IT department to achieve its political objective of curbing its rivals. I am anticipating the raids soon on my premises as state BJP leaders are targeting me politically," Patil declared.
Replying to a question about the reasons for anticipating the raids, Patil said the fact that he was seen as a strong leader of the dominant Lingayat community could be one of the reasons. However he expressed his readiness to face the challenge.
According to the buzz in political corridors of the state, the names of water resources minister MB Patil, Bengaluru development minister K J George, large and medium industries minister R V Deshpande were among those who might likely be raided ahead of Assembly polls in the State in six to seven months.