New Delhi, September 3: After the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested DK Shivakumar in a money laundering case on Tuesday evening, the Congress party hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its "vendetta politics". Congress said DK Shivakumar's arrest by the ED is an attempt by the Modi government to distract the masses from their "failed policies" and the economic slowdown. Congress's Karnataka unit called for a bandh tomorrow to protest against Shivakumar's arrest. BJP Jealous of My Son's Growth, Alleges DK Shivakumar's Mother.

"We strongly condemn the high-handed tactics and vendetta politics being deployed against Congress leaders. The arrest of DK Shivakumar is yet another attempt by the government to distract the public from their failed policies and the sorry state of the economy," the Congress tweeted. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed Shivakumar's arrest "illegal", adding that the BJP was taking action against Congress leaders to hide its "misdeeds".

"There is an economic emergency prevailing in this country. To put a lid over all this and to draw the attention of the country away from their own misdeeds, the BJP government is taking false action against Congress leaders. The illegal arrest of DK Shivakumar is one more such instance," Surjewala said. Defending Shivakumar, the Congress leader said there is no evidence against the former Karnataka minister.

Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala's Statement on DK Shivakumar's Arrest:

Known as Congress's troubleshooter, Shivakumar was arrested by the ED on Tuesday evening in connection with a money laundering case. Shivakumar is accused of being involved in 'hawala' transactions in violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Immediately after his arrest, the Congress leader took a dig at the BJP "congratulating" his friends in the ruling party for "finally being successful in their mission of arresting" him.

"I congratulate my BJP friends for finally being successful in their mission of arresting me. The IT and ED cases against me are politically motivated and I am a victim of BJP's politics of vengeance and vendetta," Shivakumar tweeted. The 57-year-old Congress leader also assured the workers of the party and his supporters that he had not done anything illegal.

DK Shivakumar's Tweets:

Shivakumar appeared before the ED for the fourth time on Tuesday in an alleged money laundering case. The ED had questioned the Congress leader on August 27, 28 and September 2. Shivakumar deposed before the financial probe agency August 27 for the first time after the Karnataka High Court rejected his petition for interim protection from arrest by the ED.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 03, 2019 10:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).