NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Thursday slammed the BJP government at the Centre for the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) searches at over 11 locations including the premises of Rajasthan unit chief Govind Singh Dotasara saying that the timing of the searches is questionable and the Union government must stop using the central agencies as weapons as it is dangerous for democracy.
He also condemned the fresh summons issued to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s son Vaibhav Gehlot for questioning by the ED in a 12 year old case and said that the party is against corruption.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Pilot said, “Today in Rajasthan what happened you all have seen. As you know that in Rajasthan the elections are just 29 days away. The model code of conduct is in force in the state and today the central agency’s action of searches in Jaipur and other cities shows the intent and their aim. The misuse of the central agencies has been proven today. The ED action ahead of the polls against the Congress leaders to threaten it is watched by the people.”
Asserting that the Congress is against corruption, Pilot said that if there is a fair probe and if any evidence is found against anyone we are with the agencies.
“But the way they targeted the state unit chief’s (Govind Singh Dotasara) residence in Rajasthan shows that the BJP is sensing its defeat in Rajasthan. His premises was searched despite no summon being issued to him, and it is a kind of messaging that if they (BJP) are politically weak then to help them there are central agencies like CBI, ED and IT, which they will misuse,” he said.
He said that the Congress condemns it (agencies action) and the Congress believes that the elections should be fought on the basis of principles.
“The Congress is contesting in all the five states on its own strength and today’s action is a clear message in the way in which a summon has been issued to him,” the former Deputy Chief Minister said.
Pilot also batted for Gehlot’s son Vaibhav and said, “He (Vaibhav Gehlot) has himself said that it is a 12 year old case in which he has been summoned. Surprisingly after the polling dates were announced then a summon was issued to him which shows why they have sent it now.”
He added that it was surprising for him that while the ED was carrying out searches at the premises of the Congress leaders the BJP was giving a clarification.
“This is beyond understanding. The agencies are being used as weapons. It is dangerous for democracy. One should learn from Rahul Gandhi how he faced the central agencies,” Pilot said. (IANS)
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