NEW DELHI, August 4: The BJP on Thursday hit out at the Congress and the Gandhi family for making “wild allegations” against the Centre and investigation agencies in connection with the National Herald money laundering case.
“First you [Gandhi family] steal, loot the country, and after that, you are trying to spread anarchy in the whole country. Gandhis are not above the law of the land,” said BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia during a press conference.
The BJP said that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi should answer some pertinent questions. “Is it not true that you hold 38% stake in Young India, same as Sonia Gandhi? Is it not true that the Gandhi family has controlling stake in Young India? Who in the Congress took the decision to start blaming late Motilal Vora? … Dotex gave Rs. 1 crore loan to Young India, a firm that has a valuation of Rs. 0. Why would a company give Young India such a loan?” he asked.
“Gandhi family is not scared of doing corruption or breaking law or threatening probe agency,” said Bhatia, in response to Rahul’s comment on Thursday that he is not scared of PM Narendra Modi. “Rahul Gandhi is scared of the law, and giving answers to tough questions,” he added.
The BJP spokesperson further told the Gandhi family to stop threatening and using derogatory terms to refer to investigative agencies.
The press meeting came a few hours after Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack against PM Modi, saying he is “not afraid of the PM” and will not be “intimidated” by the Enforcement Directorate action in the National Herald case.
Gandhi’s reaction followed ED’s sealing of the office of Young Indian in Herald House, and the Delhi police briefly barricaded the party office and the residences of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. “These are attempt at intimidation,” he told reporters outside Parliament. “We will not be intimidated. We are not afraid of Narendra Modi.”
Later, in a tweet in Hindi he doubled down on his criticism of the government and the prime minister.
“Truth cannot be barricaded. Do whatever you want, I am not afraid of the Prime Minister, I will always work in the interest of the country. Listen and understand!”
The Congress also raised the issue of ED action in both the Houses of Parliament and caused disruptions on Thursday.
Kharge at Herald House
Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also raised the issue in the Upper House, alleging the government was “misusing” agencies to target Opposition leaders and demanded answers from the government on the ED action.
Later, Kharge reached the office of Young Indian to assist the Enforcement Directorate officials in search operations.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh later tweeted: “Kharge has been undergoing interrogation by the ED for the last four and a half hours. His ordeal is continuing.”
(ToI With inputs from agencies)
