After a long time, the Congress looked in an aggressive form, with the entire party and frontal organisation hitting the streets and holding protests. The provocation was repeated questioning of former party chief Rahul Gandhi by the ED in the National Herald case, and the controversial Agniveer Scheme of the Central government.
There were several rounds of clashes between workers and the police, with many of them being taken into custody. Later, Congress headed by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot handed over a memorandum to the President Ram Nath Kovind on both the issues. Gehlot led the Congress attack again, playing a key role in managing the protest and leading the delegation that called on the President. Since Sonia Gandhi’s hospitalisation, Gehlot has taken the charge of the protest as a guardian, hitting out at the government over these issues. The CM is continuously attacking the government over the Agniveer Scheme and “unfair” grilling of Rahul by the ED.
Ashok Gehlot was launching a blistering attack on the Modi government over these issues from Jantar Mantar today where the Congress organized Satyagrah. Gehlot’s speech and active participation boosted morale of the workers. The CM said that even forefathers of the BJP cannot make the country “Congress mukt”. “Congress is everywhere in the country,” he added. The CM further asserted that the Congress’ ideology is in the DNA of the country. The Rajasthan CM said that there is no personal fight between us and the government. It is the fight of ideology, he added. Gehlot said that the kind of politics the BJP is indulging in is condemnable. “They want to run the country on the basis of their own ideology,” Gehlot remarked. They (BJP) are doing politics of division in the name of religion, he said. While corruption is at its climax, the government is ruling with the help of ED, CBI, Income Tax, etc, Gehlot added. He said that last week police entered Congress headquarters, what will happen if the police forcibly enter the BJP offices in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The Congress is holding protests following the Gandhian ideology, but they are not allowing it also, Gehlot pointed out. Recalling the time of Indira Gandhi, Gehlot instilled confidence among the workers. He targeted the Modi government over ED questioning of Rahul.
Sonia was discharged today from hospital but she has been advised to take rest at home. Rahul was questioned today again. Priyanka also remained active in the protest. However, the Youth and Mahila Congress staged a massive protest in different areas of Delhi. It signaled that the Congress is trying to revive itself.