**Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar Criticizes BJP’s Vendetta Politics**
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, launched a strong critique of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday, accusing the party of engaging in vendetta politics. His comments came in response to the National Herald money laundering chargesheet involving Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. A Delhi court recently declined to acknowledge the chargesheet, stating that the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) complaint was not maintainable as it stemmed from a private complaint rather than a First Information Report (FIR).
During a protest at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, Shivakumar asserted that the Congress party cannot be undermined through conspiratorial tactics. He characterized both the National Herald and the Congress as “national assets,” claiming that the court’s ruling revealed the BJP’s politically motivated actions. “This marks the end of the BJP’s conspiracy and a triumph for democracy,” he stated, emphasizing that the verdict represented a setback for the BJP and a victory for the Congress.
Shivakumar alleged that the BJP had plotted to imprison Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, calling for an end to such vendetta politics. He advocated for bolstering the leadership of the Gandhi family and accused the BJP of misusing investigative agencies to target political adversaries. Reflecting on the origins of the National Herald, he noted that Jawaharlal Nehru founded the newspaper in 1937 to amplify the voices of the people. He dismissed claims that the Gandhi family treated the publication as personal property, clarifying that it is managed by a trust and operates under established regulations.
Drawing from his own experiences, Shivakumar recounted how the Delhi Police had issued notices to him and his brother for contributing funds to the National Herald, which he described as his personal earnings. He mentioned that the ED had previously filed a case against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which the Supreme Court later dismissed, arguing that courts have similarly deemed the charges against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to be baseless.
In response to allegations of being targeted for his support of the Gandhi family, Shivakumar asserted that intimidation through vendetta politics would not deter the Congress party. He also commented on discussions regarding the renaming of MGNREGA, stating that the BJP cannot erase Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy. Addressing opposition protests concerning the Gruhalakshmi scheme, he encouraged critics to pursue a privilege motion and urged them to focus on pressing issues like MGNREGA, irrigation funding, and Central assistance for the Jal Jeevan Mission.
**FAQ**
**Q: What was the outcome of the Delhi court’s decision regarding the National Herald chargesheet?**
A: The Delhi court refused to take cognizance of the National Herald money laundering chargesheet, stating that the complaint was not maintainable as it was based on a private complaint rather than an FIR.
