New Delhi: Congress leaders made a scathing attack on BJP-led Central Government over Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at multiple locations linked to the brother of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, in connection with the fertiliser scam, alleging that the ruling party is trying to "threaten" MLAs, in a bid to topple the state government.
Reacting sharply over the matter, Congress General Secretary in-charge KC Venugopal said, "Whenever the BJP goes all out for horse-trading, the central agencies appear out of nowhere. Horse trading and raiding now go hand in hand. First, it was seen in Karnataka and now in Rajasthan. Sir ji, the script is now getting boring."
While addressing a press conference, Supriya Shrinate said, "This is a complete misuse of power and frontal agencies like ED and CBI. Consistently, BJP has used all of these agencies besides money power to attack the opposition, to topple the democratically elected government and to silence people who have the courage to speak."
These ED raids come amid the political crisis in the state of Rajasthan due to the rebellion of former deputy CM Sachin Pilot and his 18 loyalist MLAs. The searches were being conducted with the assistance of CRPF personnel.
Read: ED raids Rajasthan CM's brother premises, countrywide searches underway
Earlier today, the Chief Spokesperson of Congress party, Randeep Singh Surjewala imposed similar allegations upon the Government, saying, "Prime Minister has created a 'Raid Raj' in the country but we are not going to be scared. When Modiji's and his Government's tactics failed and Rajasthan MLAs did not fall prey to BJP's conspiracy, an outrage Center started conducting raids at CM's elder brother's residence."
The Youth Congress President, Srinivas BV challenged PM Modi in his tweet, saying, "Yesterday, Ashok Gehlot's OSD was questioned by CBI and today ED is raiding his brother. Even if you bring FBI from America for investigation in Rajasthan, still the Government will not fall Modiji."
ED had conducted these raids at 13 places including Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat and Delhi to probe in fertilizer scam. Agrasen Gehlot, elder brother of Ashok Gehlot, is the promoter of a seeds and fertiliser company named as Anupam Krishi.
Last week, when Income Tax Department conducted raids on the residences of close aides of Gehlot, Congress termed it a part of BJP's "political vendetta", while Surjewala tweeted, "After all, the BJP's lawyers have arrived. When will the ED arrive?"
