<p class="title">Congress leader and Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar, who is gearing up to get anticipatory bail (following threats of his arrest), said on Sunday that he isn't scared of being investigated.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, Shivakumar, who was on his way to New Delhi on Sunday to meet with senior counsels, claimed that he hadn't committed any crime.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Accusing the BJP and the media of trying to "malign" his name, Shivakumar stated that he was a seasoned politician and ready to handle any curveball that comes his way.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Politics is not football. It's chess, and I'm well versed in it. Why should I be scared when I haven't done anything wrong? I'm clean, honest and dedicated. I'm being hounded by the media, which has been repeatedly broadcasting that I will be arrested. I'm not a criminal. I don't possess any ill-gotten wealth. But this doesn't mean that I am naive. I came to Bengaluru to be in politics. I entered Vidhana Soudha at the age of 27," he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Shivakumar, also stated that he would cooperate with Central investigation agencies, as he had nothing to hide. He claimed that he neither had offshore accounts nor properties abroad.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But yes, I have two properties in New Delhi. However, I haven't stashed any money there. I have declared all my assets and filed the Income Tax returns. So far, I haven't got any notice from the Income Tax department. In case I do, I am willing to face any probe," he declared.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Stating that he was consulting 80-odd advocates, Shivakumar said that it was common for rivals to target powerful politicians.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Shivakumar alleged that the BJP was making desperate attempts to destabilise the coalition government by poaching ruling party MLAs. "Those MLAs have informed me. But, I know the number game," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><u><strong><span class="bold">BSY is a friend</span></strong></u></p>.<p class="bodytext">Shivakumar rubbished BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa's claims that he hadn't written to the Income Tax department urging it to take action against him and his brother and MP --D K Suresh.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Yeddyurappa is my friend. But I don't know why he is denying that he wrote to the IT department. Politically we might differ - the basic principles of both our parties is different. But we have mutual respect for each other. Ironically, Yeddyurappa too is facing many charges," Shivakumar pointed out.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><u><strong><span class="bold">Not trying to topple govt</span></strong></u></p>.<p class="bodytext">Reacting to Shivakumar's remarks, Yeddyurappa said that the BJP was not making any attempt to topple the coalition government.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"God knows why the Congress is so apprehensive. Many Congress leaders will soon join BJP. The party is gearing up for the Lok Sabha polls," he added.</p>
<p class="title">Congress leader and Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar, who is gearing up to get anticipatory bail (following threats of his arrest), said on Sunday that he isn't scared of being investigated.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, Shivakumar, who was on his way to New Delhi on Sunday to meet with senior counsels, claimed that he hadn't committed any crime.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Accusing the BJP and the media of trying to "malign" his name, Shivakumar stated that he was a seasoned politician and ready to handle any curveball that comes his way.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Politics is not football. It's chess, and I'm well versed in it. Why should I be scared when I haven't done anything wrong? I'm clean, honest and dedicated. I'm being hounded by the media, which has been repeatedly broadcasting that I will be arrested. I'm not a criminal. I don't possess any ill-gotten wealth. But this doesn't mean that I am naive. I came to Bengaluru to be in politics. I entered Vidhana Soudha at the age of 27," he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Shivakumar, also stated that he would cooperate with Central investigation agencies, as he had nothing to hide. He claimed that he neither had offshore accounts nor properties abroad.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But yes, I have two properties in New Delhi. However, I haven't stashed any money there. I have declared all my assets and filed the Income Tax returns. So far, I haven't got any notice from the Income Tax department. In case I do, I am willing to face any probe," he declared.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Stating that he was consulting 80-odd advocates, Shivakumar said that it was common for rivals to target powerful politicians.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Shivakumar alleged that the BJP was making desperate attempts to destabilise the coalition government by poaching ruling party MLAs. "Those MLAs have informed me. But, I know the number game," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><u><strong><span class="bold">BSY is a friend</span></strong></u></p>.<p class="bodytext">Shivakumar rubbished BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa's claims that he hadn't written to the Income Tax department urging it to take action against him and his brother and MP --D K Suresh.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Yeddyurappa is my friend. But I don't know why he is denying that he wrote to the IT department. Politically we might differ - the basic principles of both our parties is different. But we have mutual respect for each other. Ironically, Yeddyurappa too is facing many charges," Shivakumar pointed out.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><u><strong><span class="bold">Not trying to topple govt</span></strong></u></p>.<p class="bodytext">Reacting to Shivakumar's remarks, Yeddyurappa said that the BJP was not making any attempt to topple the coalition government.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"God knows why the Congress is so apprehensive. Many Congress leaders will soon join BJP. The party is gearing up for the Lok Sabha polls," he added.</p>
