‘Why Only Congress?’: CM Siddaramaiah Slams Modi Govt Over Selective ED Raids

Political Bureau, Bangalore Mail

Date: April 21, 2026

Gundlupet: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has launched a scathing attack against the Narendra Modi-led Union government, accusing federal agencies of acting with bias by exclusively targeting Congress party leaders.

Speaking to reporters in Gundlupet on Tuesday, the Chief Minister questioned the investigative focus of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which recently conducted searches related to a high-profile bitcoin-linked money laundering case. The operation involved several individuals, including the sons of Karnataka Congress MLA N.A. Haris and the grandson of former Union Cabinet Minister K. Rahman Khan.

“Targeted Political Vendetta”

The CM openly challenged the legitimacy of these operations, asking, “Why are no such raids conducted on BJP leaders?” Siddaramaiah alleged that the central government is leveraging investigative agencies to settle political scores rather than pursuing impartial justice, terming the consistent focus on Congress figures as part of a broader “targeted political vendetta.”

Case Context

The ED’s recent action pertains to an ongoing money-laundering investigation where Mohammed Haris Nalapad, Omar Farook Nalapad, and Aqeeb Khan have been named as alleged beneficiaries of proceeds derived from crypto-linked activities.

Addressing Other Key Issues

During the interaction, the Chief Minister also addressed several administrative and political matters:

• Development Politics: Responding to critics of his government’s guarantee schemes, Siddaramaiah asserted that even opposition parties have recognized these initiatives as essential welfare programs for the underprivileged.

• Delimitation Row: Clarifying his government’s stance, the CM emphasized that the opposition to the current delimitation proposal is not against women’s reservation, but against the manner in which the exercise is being utilized for political maneuvering.

• Minority Concerns: Regarding allegations of the state government neglecting minority communities, the Chief Minister maintained that all policy decisions were made in consultation with party and minority leaders.

As the political temperature rises in the lead-up to the by-elections in Davangere and Bagalkote, the Chief Minister expressed strong confidence in the Congress party’s electoral prospects, suggesting that these ongoing controversies would not deter his administration’s focus on development and social justice.