E-Paper
Rahul Gandhi slams govt over ‘pressure tactics’ to silence Opposition
The comments came a day after security was increased at the Congress headquarters and outside party chief Sonia Gandhi’s residence after ED sealed Young Indian Pvt Ltd’s office.
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked the prime minister, saying he is “not afraid of Narendra Modi” and will not be “intimidated” by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action in the National Herald case.
The comments came a day after ED sealed the office of Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YI) at Herald House in the national capital and the Delhi police briefly barricaded the Congress headquarters and residences of party president Sonia Gandhi. “These are attempt at intimidation…We will not be intimidated. We are not afraid of Narendra Modi,” Rahul Gandhi said.
“They may do whatever they want. It does not matter. I will continue to work to protect the country and democracy and maintain harmony in the country. I will continue to do my work whatever they may do.”
ED sealed the premises of Young Indian as part of its investigation into the National Herald case. Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been questioned by the federal agency in connection with the case.
The National Herald newspaper was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, in 1938 amid the fight against British colonial rule. The Gandhis have been accused of financial fraud. There are allegations of misappropriation of funds as the Associated Journals Limited - which published the daily - was taken over by Young Indian Pvt Limited, after a continued spell of financial challenges.
“Truth cannot be barricaded. Do whatever you want, but I am not afraid of the Prime Minister. I will always work in the interest of the country,” the former Congress president said in a tweet in Hindi.
Talking to reporters outside Parliament earlier in the day, the Wayanad Lok Sabha MP said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government thinks it can “silence us by putting some pressure on us”.
“We won’t be silenced. We will stand against what Narendra Modi ji, [Union home minister] Amit Shah ji are doing in this country, against democracy, no matter what they do,” he said as he left for a party meeting over the recent ED actions in the National Herald case.
Also read: PM Modi changes profile pictures to Tricolour
Reacting to Gandhi’s remarks, the BJP accused the Congress of trying to spread “anarchy”. “They will first engage in looting and then try to spread anarchy in the country. Congress leaders are abusing and threatening the investigation agency. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul should know that they are not above law. The country is governed by the Constitution,” said Gaurav Bhatia, BJP spokesperson.
He alleged that what Rahul Gandhi is not afraid of are corruption and breaking the law. “What is though also true is that he fears law. Or he should have gone to the judiciary to get a certificate of honesty,” Bhatia claimed.
(With agency inputs)
