Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi has said his foreign investments and business interests, particularly in Africa, are the “prime reason” behind the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches at properties linked to him.
Speaking on Friday morning, Jarkiholi said he had nothing to hide and would provide the ED with all the information sought by the agency.
“I have a declared turnover of Rs 2,000 crore this year. What great significance is Rs 2 crore seized here? Nowadays, even small-time traders have Rs 1 lakh, Rs 2 lakh or Rs 5 lakh with them,” he said.
Jarkiholi said his family has been exploring business opportunities in Africa and other countries for several years, particularly in mining, trading and joint ventures.
“For 10 years, we have been saying we are doing mining in Africa and trying to do business in other countries wherever we get an opportunity. We mentioned these things to ED yesterday,” he said.
On the ED searches, Jarkiholi said the agency has the authority to conduct such operations and that he had cooperated with the officials.
“Whatever they inquire about, we will give them answers. Whichever questions I could answer, I have answered. For what I did not know, I have asked for time,” he said.
‘They only raid Congress leaders’
Jarkiholi also raised questions over the political implications of the searches, alleging that Congress leaders have been repeatedly targeted by central investigation agencies.
“They only raid Congress leaders. This is the question Congress has been asking for about 10 years,” he said.
When asked whether the searches could be politically motivated, he replied, “It may be so.”
He also said he was aware of reports that seven or eight more Congress leaders could face searches, but noted that separate issues could be cited as the basis for such action.
On the alleged targeting of Dalit leaders, including former minister B Nagendra, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and himself, Jarkiholi said, “They say so.”
He said he was unaware of who had filed the complaint or who was behind the action, but added that he intended to find out.
Calls for Congress unity
Jarkiholi stressed the need for unity within the Congress.
“We in Congress need to be united. If we are disunited, they will get an advantage,” he said.
Asked whether former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with whom he has had differences, had called him following the searches, Jarkiholi said he had not.