The Congress party has strongly condemned the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara, terming them an act of “political harassment and intimidation” orchestrated by the Centre.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a strongly-worded statement on X, said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government was misusing investigative agencies to suppress opposition voices ahead of key political developments.
“The INC condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the ED raids on the Home Minister of Karnataka. Dr G Parameshwara is one of the country’s senior-most political leaders… The ED actions, undertaken at the behest of the PM himself, reflect the politics of harassment, vendetta, and intimidation of which he is the master,” Ramesh posted.
ED Raids Linked to Educational Institutions
According to initial reports, ED officials conducted searches at multiple premises allegedly connected to Dr. Parameshwara, particularly educational institutions linked to him. The reason behind the raids is yet to be officially disclosed, but the action triggered sharp reactions from Congress leaders across the board.
Congress Sees Political Motive
Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala linked the raids to a recent Karnataka government initiative that granted ownership rights to 1 lakh SC-ST families.
“The ED raids on the educational institutions of Karnataka’s Home Minister… are a frustrated reaction to this pro-poor decision,” Surjewala wrote on X, describing it as part of a “constant assault on the Constitution” and a sinister design targeting SC-ST-OBC leaders.
Surjewala further accused the BJP of attempting to deflect attention from alleged corruption during its tenure in Karnataka.
State Leaders Rally Behind Parameshwara
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also came to Parameshwara’s defence, dismissing any wrongdoing.
“I am sure that in no way my Home Minister is involved in any case. He is a very decent and simple man,” Shivakumar said, while addressing the media.
Context & Political Undercurrents
Dr. G Parameshwara, a prominent Dalit leader in Karnataka, has long been involved in education and social welfare initiatives, especially among weaker sections. His political stature and role in the Congress-led government make the timing of the ED raids politically significant.
The opposition Congress has consistently accused the Modi government of weaponizing central agencies like the ED, CBI, and IT Department against its political adversaries, especially in poll-bound or opposition-ruled states.
With Karnataka having witnessed a pro-poor policy rollout recently, including land ownership and subsidy-based schemes, the ED action is being seen by many within the party as a retaliatory strike by the BJP.
As the investigation unfolds, the Congress has made it clear that it will not be “silenced” and will continue to “hold the Prime Minister accountable for failures on multiple fronts.”