GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 29th Sept. Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday called for the resignation of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman following the registration of a case against her in Bengaluru, based on a court directive. The case involves allegations of extorting money through the now-discontinued Electoral Bond scheme.
Kharge accused Sitharaman, along with several other BJP leaders, of benefiting from significant donations made by companies that had incurred huge losses, raising questions about the legitimacy of the funds. Addressing a press conference, Kharge stated, “If you have any morality left, expel former BJP Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and his son B.Y. Vijayendra, who is currently the BJP state president. Also, remove Nirmala Sitharaman, Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, and BJP MLA Munirathna.”
According to the police, the FIR was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 384 (extortion), Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), and Section 34 (acts done by multiple persons in furtherance of common intention). Along with Sitharaman, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and BJP office-bearers at both state and national levels have also been named in the FIR. Other prominent names in the case include BJP Karnataka chief B.Y. Vijayendra and party leader Nalin Kumar Kateel.
Kharge made it clear that the Congress would not be intimidated by central agencies like the CBI and ED, stating, “We have a history of 140 years of struggle, and we will continue for another 140 years. We will not be frightened by your tactics.”
The minister also elaborated on the details of the case, explaining that the FIR was filed following a petition by the Janadhikara Sangharsh Parishath, a public interest group. He pointed to the Supreme Court’s previous remarks calling the Electoral Bond scheme unconstitutional.
Kharge further claimed that 33 companies running at a collective loss of ₹1 lakh crore had donated ₹576.2 crore to the BJP. Additionally, he alleged that six profit-making companies had contributed ₹646 crore, an amount exceeding their net profits, while three companies reporting negative direct taxes donated ₹193.8 crore to the party.
Kharge also responded to BJP leaders who accused Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi of money laundering. He questioned, “You [BJP] have been in power for 11 years. What have you done all these years?” Furthermore, he accused Vijayendra of engaging in money laundering through shell companies based in Kolkata and other locations.
The post Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge Demands FM Sitharaman’s Resignation appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
