BENGALURU: After seizing huge cash and valuables and collecting a staggering number of documents and files from the residences and establishments of Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his kin, Income-Tax officials have upped the pressure on the Congress strongman issuing summons to him and several others asking them to appear on Monday for questioning.

It is learnt that the summons were issued on Saturday itself. However, Mr Shivakumar has reportedly requested them to give him some more time as he has important work to do.

Sources said that besides the minister, the summons have been issued to his father-in-law's family members and associates including Dwarakanath.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Sadashivanagar on Sunday, Mr Shivakumar said, "I have been issued summons and will appear before the I-T officials soon. The law is equal for all, I am not an exception." But he did not reveal when he would make an appearance before the officials.

Dr G, DKS discuss ‘strategy’ against BJP
In a show of solidarity for energy minister, D.K. Shivakumar, more than a Congress leaders including, KPCC president Dr G. Parameshwar, Mayor G. Padmavathy and four-time Rajya Sabha MP, K. Rehman Khan on Sunday met the beleaguered minister to drive home a point that he was a victim of vindictive politics by the BJP.

Dr Parameshwar who was closeted with Mr Shivakumar for over an hour, reportedly discussed the future course of action against the Opposition BJP in the state. Later, Dr Parameshwar said party central leaders have asked every leader in the state to stand behind Mr Shivakumar and support him in this hour of crisis.

“I informed him (Mr Shivakumar) that he should not be swayed by reports that he would be dumped as soon as the IT raids were over. This is far from the truth, this is the reason we (Congress leaders) have come to his house,” he explained.

Congress party leaders like Anil Lad, R.V. Devraj, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Priyank Kharge, and K.J George too met Mr Shivakumar.

Cong to attack BJP
The ruling Congress has reportedly decided to launch a scathing attack on the BJP for the Income Tax raids on its minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Speaking to DC, a senior leader asserted that the IT raid was politically motivated as it was conducted when the department had set an August 5 deadline to file IT returns. "When a person has still time to file his or her IT returns, how can the IT department be so callous in conducting raids on Mr Shivakumar and his associates. This does not mean that the Congress is giving Mr Shivakumar a clean chit. But the raids before the last date for filing IT returns, provides us with a classic case to expose the BJP countrywide,” the leader observed.