News18 Daybreak | MP CM Kamal Nath Cries Foul Over I-T Raids on Aides' Residences and Other Stories to Watch Out For

What to Watch Out For

Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath cries foul on I-T raids in aides' houses after cops clash with CRPF officials

After West Bengal and Karnataka, the 'Centre versus state' tussle reached Madhya Pradesh on Sunday with Income Tax sleuths launching pre-dawn searches on at least 50 locations in Delhi, Indore and Bhopal against people linked to Chief Minister Kamal Nath on charges of alleged tax evasion.

The I-T department on Sunday morning began searching the offices and residential premises of Nath’s Officer on Special Duty, Praveen Kakkar, former advisor RK Miglani and executives linked to his brother-in-law Deepak Puri’s firm Moser Baer.

According to reports the searches are said to have been carried out after information was received of suspicious cash holdings.

A state of conflict: The drama escalated in the evening with state police arriving at the Praveen Kakkar’s residence. The police officers wanted entry into the restricted area claiming that they have been receiving complaints from the residents of the complex that their movement was being restricted by the CRPF personnel.

As soon as the I-T officials saw the police officers, they shut the doors with the help of CRPF officers, who were already present at the spot.

A CRPF official, alleged that the Madhya Pradesh Police wasn't letting them work and “hurling abuses” at them. Meanwhile, the police said that they were only doing their jobs and tending to the people inside the residential complex.

Meanwhile, hours after the raids, the Election Commission instructed various agencies to ensure that their pre-poll raids remain politically neutral.

“The Election Commission strongly advises that all enforcement actions during the election period, even when conducted ruthlessly with a view to curb the blatant electoral malpractice (of using money power to influence voter behaviour), be absolutely neutral, impartial and non-discriminatory,” a letter issued by the poll body read.

He said she said: A political slugfest erupted between the Congress and the BJP over the I-T raids. Former CM and BJP strongman Shivraj Singh Chauhan defended the I-T department and said, “"I-T dept is doing its work, it's their constitutional right. CRPF soldiers were on duty, they were being stopped; MP Police clashed with CRPF. What Mamata ji did in Bengal, the same game is being played in MP. It's an attempt to save corrupts.”

MP CM Kamal Nath, however, claimed that the details of the I-T raids were not clear and said, “As the BJP saw an imminent defeat in LS polls, it has resorted to such acts to intimidate others which they have been doing in last five years. They had used these gimmicks in last assembly polls as well.”

BJP likely to release manifesto for Lok Sabha polls today in PM Modi's presence 

The ruling BJP is likely to release its manifesto titled “Sankalp Patra” for the upcoming Lok Sabha election Top party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its chief Amit Shah, will be present at the launch of the manifesto. With the Congress manifesto putting major thrust on welfare measures, including a promise of giving Rs 72,000 to the poorest 20 per cent households in India, the ruling party is likely to make a slew of promises to woo different sections of the society, especially farmers, youth and women, besides the other marginalised sections. The Congress on Sunday also launched its Election tagline – ‘Ab Hoga Nyay’, which refers to the minimum income guarantee scheme.

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