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In a scathing response to recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids in poll-bound Rajasthan, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of engaging in wrongdoing, asserting that the nation “will never forgive them.” Gehlot alleged that the NDA government is committing a crime by conducting these raids during an ongoing election.
He criticized the ED’s actions, stating, “Elections are underway, and the ED continues to visit the homes of opposition leaders, keeping them occupied throughout the day. While BJP members freely engage in the elections, Congress leaders are receiving notices.”
Gehlot questioned the motive behind these raids, emphasizing that the ED has not yet clarified the reasons for targeting these political leaders and the outcomes of their investigations. He further alleged that the BJP has effectively become the spokesperson for the ED.
The ED recently carried out raids at the residences of state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara in Jaipur and Sikar. In addition, a coaching center purportedly linked to Dotasara was also searched.
Furthermore, the ED has summoned Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s son, Vaibhav Gehlot, for questioning in connection with a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case.
Prominent Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his views on the situation, asserting that the BJP’s intentions appear to be to disrupt Gehlot’s election campaign, demoralize and intimidate Congress leaders. He stated that such actions during elections are unprecedented, and they will not be intimidated, vowing to fight resolutely against such tactics.
Sachin Pilot, another key figure in the Congress, expressed skepticism about the timing, objectives, and intent behind the raids conducted by central government agencies in Rajasthan. He suggested that the BJP might be feeling vulnerable as the Rajasthan assembly elections approach and criticized the BJP for targeting Congress leaders without concrete evidence. Pilot accused the BJP of trying to influence the election outcome by using central agencies.
The Rajasthan Assembly elections are scheduled for November 25, with the counting of votes set for December 3.
