Country wide protests broke out on Thursday when Congress workers took to streets to protest against the questioning of their interim president, Sonia Gandhi by officials of the Enforcement Directorate. The inconclusive interaction, between the ED and Ms Gandhi in connection with money laundering allegations in the National Herald case, is likely to continue on Monday, which may once again witness unruly protests. Ms Gandhi has been quizzed by any enforcement organization for the first time in her over two-decade political career and is understood to have maintained her composure during this questioning. The Congress leaders led by virtually every known and unknown face either courted arrest or lodged their indignation while visiting the AICC Headquarters. Although both Rahul and Priyanka accompanied their mother, yet there were some distinct dimensions to the actions of the Congress leaders. When Rahul had been interrogated some time ago, there were protests but senior leaders, who were once a part of the defunct G-23 dissenters such as Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari were conspicuous by their absence. However, they all turned up in support of Mrs Gandhi. In other words, for a section of the Congress, Rahul is not acceptable as the supreme leader while there is no such opposition so far as the current interim president goes. This is a matter which needs to be addressed by the party if it has to march ahead since it cannot be seen as a divided house and unity was both paramount and necessary. Several functionaries, Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot and former Finance Minister, P.Chidambaram lashed out at the central government for using the instruments of the State for settling scores with their political opponents. Many Opposition leaders and parties also joined them and condemned the ruling dispensation of intimidating rivals through various organs of the government. On its part, the BJP, has maintained that every citizen in the eyes of law was equal and therefore no distinction can be made even if it concerns Ms Gandhi. The rule of law was supreme and in maintaining its sanctity, the due process was being observed. This has been hotly contested by Congress leaders, who said that it was nothing but plain vendetta that was in full public view and there was departure from the procedures which need to be followed. Besides, ED was over stretching itself in its eagerness to please the political masters. However, the Congress leadership needs to understand that since the cases are being probed by a central agency, the only way forward was to cooperate and allow the due process to be completed so that if nothing was found to be wrong, the courts could absolve the Gandhis or whoever is being questioned. So far as the Congress goes, it is important for workers to express their solidarity with the leaders but resorting to violence was not an option. Ms Gandhi who has maintained a dignified persona in public life must ask the party activists to desist from indulging in unruly behaviour. The ED on its part must complete its queries and after assessing the information should go ahead to the next step—either leave the Gandhis alone or proceed as per the tenets of law.
