File picture of Satish Jarkiholi alongside Congress state president BK Hariprasad
Bengaluru: Enforcement Directorate searches at the premises of PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi , his daughter and Chikkodi MP Priyanka Jarkiholi and their associates have added a new dimension to Congress ’ internal wrangling and has shone the spotlight on Jarkiholi’s political future ahead of the 2028 elections. His daughter had also said in 2024 that her father would seek the CM’s post in 2028. The govt and party will stand with him 100%. In six years, 196 raids were conducted, but charges were proved in only two cases.
Because it has lost ground in Karnataka, bJP is targeting Congress members.
MN Patil, political analyst, said: “The political damage will depend on what the ED finds. If the searches fail to produce a decisive breakthrough, Congress will likely intensify its political vendetta campaign. ” Chief minister DK Shivakumar said, “The raids are aimed at targeting an influential ST functionary and disrupting the govt’s 100-day celebrations. However BJP MP and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar said: “I have always said ED or CBI searches are based on information gathered by the agencies, not political considerations.
For BJP, the searches provide an opportunity to target Congress over alleged financial and administrative irregularities. Congress, meanwhile, has rallied behind Satish and accused the Centre of using investigative agencies against political opponents. He has indicated that he aspires to become CM and shoulder a larger role in Congress beyond his current ministerial position. The searches could have a bearing on his long-term political plans. If the investigation produces substantial evidence, BJP will gain ammunition to attack the govt and Jarkiholi personally and seek his resignation as they with former minister B Nagendra. BJP cannot tolerate Satish’s stature. Now, Satish is being targeted through misuse of central agencies. Home minister Priyank Kharge also backed his cabinet colleague saying, “This is only the beginning. You may see raids at my residence and CM DK Shivakumar’s residence too. As elections near, more of us will be targeted. We will not bend; we will fight. We have been alleging corruption in the Congress govt, and the ED raids have proved us right. It will not be surprising if two or three ministers are sacked from DK Shivakumar’s cabinet in the next few months.”
They earlier raided me and sent me to jail.