Income tax raids on several close associates of former Karnataka chief minister Yediyurappa are creating quite a sensation in the state. Several of yediyurappa’s friends, employees, chartered accountants and contractrs are being raided. The raids were conducted in 50 places in Bengaluru.

Sources say over 300 officials have formed themselves into groups and have conducted the raids simultaneously. Reports say that over 120 cars were seized. The residence of Yediyurappa’s closest associate Umesh is also being raided,

Umesh, who was a bus driver, joined politics through Shimoga BJP leader A Manjunatha. Yediyurappa too hails from Shimoga district and Manjunath is his camp follower. Through Manjunath, Umesh became close to Yediyurappa. Later, he became an assistant to Yediyurappa’s son and MP BS Raghavendra. When Yediyurppa became the CM, Umesh became his PA. He is also said to be close to Yediyurappa’s second son BS Vijayendra. Now Umesh’s properties and premises were also raided.

Sources say that these raids were a consequence of Yediyurappa’s insistence that his son should be given a key position in the party. The national leadership, which wants to rein in Yediyurappa, has reportedly ordered the raids to put Yediyurappa and his sons on the man. Yediyurappa and his sons are now on the defensive following the raids.