KPCC spokesperson M. Lakshman addressing a press confernce in Mysuru on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) spokesperson M. Lakshman on Thursday said that BJP was using Enforcement Directorate to intimidate Congress leaders but the party would not be cowed down by it.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Lakshman referred to the ED raids on educational institutions run by Home Minister G. Parameshwara and said the incident also betrayed the “anti-dalit” mindset of the BJP.

In case there were any irregularities, the department concerned should have been investigated first but the BJP was in the habit of misusing power to browbeat the opposition, Mr. Lakshman added.

Citing statistics, Mr. Lakshman said the Centre has conducted more than 28,000 ED raids so far, of which chargesheet has been filed with respect to 992 cases, while only 23 cases had led to conviction. Besides, 98% of the ED raids have been conducted on the Opposition parties who are being targeted, he added.