New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) The BJP on Thursday slammed leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for accusing the Centre of targeting his brother-in-law, Robert Vadra, calling his remarks a reflection of the Congress’ “Emergency-era mindset” and a disregard for due legal process.
Gandhi had alleged that the government was carrying out a political witch hunt against Vadra following the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filing a chargesheet against him in a money-laundering case related to alleged irregularities in a land deal in Shikohpur, Haryana.
Addressing a press conference here, party spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said Rahul’s comments revealed not only his support for Vadra but also his potential complicity in the alleged wrongdoing.
“With his statement, Rahul Gandhi has made it evident that he was fully aware of his brother-in-law’s murky dealings — and perhaps even involved,” Sinha said.
The BJP leader also referred to the National Herald case, in which Rahul Gandhi is currently out on bail, alleging that it too involves a suspicious financial trail.
“Instead of attributing political motives, Robert Vadra should be answering questions about his modus operandi. And let’s not forget the National Herald case, in which Rahul Gandhi is on bail, involves a hawala money trail. The Gandhi family owes the country an explanation,” Sinha added.
Citing the ED chargesheet, the BJP noted that Vadra’s company reportedly had only Rs 1 lakh at the time of executing the controversial land deal raising questions about how such a transaction was possible without prior political knowledge or involvement.
The BJP also hit out at Gandhi’s recent comments made during a public meeting in Assam’s Chaygaon, where he said that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, “who thinks he is a king,” would be jailed by the people of the state for corruption.
Calling it a “threat” to a sitting chief minister, Sinha said Gandhi’s remark was not only undemocratic but also displayed a lack of respect for the legal process.
“Someone who so brazenly threatens to have an elected Chief Minister arrested, without any legal basis, cannot be expected to respect judicial and investigative institutions,” Sinha said. “There is not a single allegation against Himanta Biswa Sarma. This kind of rhetoric shows the Congress continues to operate with the same authoritarian mindset it did during the Emergency.”
On the issue of alleged political interference in investigations, Sinha also dismissed Congress claims of vendetta in the case involving Bhupesh Baghel’s son, saying that elections cannot be a reason to halt or delay legal proceedings.
“Elections happen regularly in India. That doesn’t mean investigating agencies need to seek political approval before acting,” he said.
