Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has alleged that the Income Tax (I-T) Department is working like an agent for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and selectively targeting Congress leaders in Bangalore Rural constituency. Shivakumar’s claims come after I-T raids on the residences of close aides of his brother, Bangalore Rural Congress candidate D.K. Suresh. The I-T department has not yet commented on the allegations.
Karnataka will participate in the second and third phases of the crucial Lok Sabha elections in 2024, with voting scheduled for April 26 and May 7, respectively. The state will witness high-stakes battles in several constituencies, including Bangalore Rural, where DK Suresh (Congress) and CN Majunath (BJP), the son-in-law of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, will face off. The constituency comprises a mix of rural and urban areas, presenting a diverse electorate. The Congress has traditionally dominated the Bengaluru South constituency, but the BJP is looking to make inroads with its candidate, C N Manjunath. The JD(S) also holds a significant presence in the region.
