U.T. Khader dismisses allegations of Congress leaders complaining to ED against Minister Satish Jarkiholi

Health Minister U.T. Khader has dismissed allegations by some BJP leaders that some Congress leaders were behind the ED searches on the house premises of Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi. “These are baseless allegations.

Our party has no intention of targeting anyone. All Congress leaders remain united, regardless of any malicious propaganda. Key party leaders — including Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Mr. Jarkiholi, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and Home Minister G.

Parameshwara — stand united,” said Mr. Khader in Gadag on Sunday (September 13). He was there to attend a function organised by Congress leader H.K. Patil’s family. Responding to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s statement regarding the possibility of ED searches at the houses of three or four more Ministers, Mr.

Khader said that there was no need to attribute a different meaning to the Chief Minister’s words. “He was simply pointing out that the BJP is engaging in the politics of vendetta,” he said. “The Congress party does not harbor a mindset of engaging in vendetta or target-based politics.

Investigative agencies must function in accordance with the law. But the BJP is misusing such Central agencies to target anyone for political motives, which is inappropriate,’’ he said. “About 98% of ED raids are conducted against Congress members.

However, by the time investigations conclude, 90% of the cases are dropped. Convictions occur in only 10% of the cases,” he said. On the inspections of hotels, the Minister said that it was essential for Health Department officials to conduct these inspections in the interest of public health.

“The public can lodge complaints regarding food quality in hotels. There is also a facility to submit complaints via a barcode system. Upon receiving a complaint, officials will immediately visit the site, conduct an inspection, and take necessary action,” he said.