Will stand by minister if he has not done anything illegal,

The Karnataka government would stand by Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar, against whom a fourth summons has been issued by acourt in connection with alleged tax evasion, if he has not done anything illegal, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said today.

"If things are legal, we will stand by(Shivakumar). ...let there be no doubts on that," Kumaraswamysaid in response to a question whether the government would stand by Shivakumar.

Asked whether the Centre was indulging in"hate politics", he said "..it is going on for long now, insuch matters the departments concerned should not budge to any pressure from politics of hate.

They have to work in accordance with law. This is my opinion."
Speaking to reporters in Chitradurga, he alleged thatCongress workers were being targeted and ED action and IT raids have been taking place "since a year before the (state assembly)elections."
Asked about the reasons behind the raids and summons, Shivakumar said, "What can be said? Already three cases were registered. After the (assembly) election, this one has also been done..."
Shivakumar said the I-T department officials were "not letting him breathe."
BJP had emerged as the single largest party and was trying to shore up numbers but lost the game with B S Yeddyurappa quitting without taking the floor test.I