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Amidst ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on Rajasthan Congress leaders, the Congress party has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of resorting to “FDI tactics – fear, deception, and intimidation” in the run-up to the polls. The party has stated that these tactics are a response to the prospect of an “inevitable defeat” and have pledged that the people will provide a fitting response to the BJP’s actions.
The ED conducted raids on the premises of Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra and a party candidate from the Mahua assembly seat as part of a money laundering investigation related to an alleged exam paper leak in the state. Additionally, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav Gehlot was summoned for questioning in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case. Several Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, have spoken out on the issue.
Mallikarjun Kharge pointed out that agencies like the ED, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department become the de facto supporters of the BJP during election periods. He criticized the BJP’s decision to involve the ED in the election campaign in Rajasthan following similar actions in Chhattisgarh.
Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary, claimed that the popularity of the Congress government’s schemes in Rajasthan over the past five years has startled the Prime Minister. In response, he alleged that PM Modi resorted to the “FDI tactics” of fear, deception, and intimidation, unleashing the ED on Congress leaders in the state. Ramesh emphasized that such vindictive politics and polarization are the BJP’s current focus, and the people of Rajasthan will respond accordingly in the upcoming elections.
Sachin Pilot, former Rajasthan deputy chief minister, described the ED’s actions as “politically motivated” and a sign that the BJP is facing a tough challenge in all five states headed for polls. He questioned the timing and intent of the agencies’ actions, considering that the Model Code of Conduct is in place for the upcoming elections.
Ashok Gehlot, the Chief Minister, accused the BJP of spreading terror across the country and implied that the ED raids were a response to his announcement of poll promises for women in the state. He also stated that ED raids tend to occur just before elections in various states, including Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Himachal Pradesh, emphasizing that the Congress has emerged victorious in these elections despite such actions.
Pawan Khera, the head of the Congress’ media and publicity department, criticized the Union government for the ED’s activities and urged PM Modi to participate directly in elections rather than relying on agencies for assistance. Ashok Gehlot had previously expressed concerns about the misuse of probe agencies to target opposition leaders and called for PM Modi and the Election Commission to intervene in the matter.
