"Govt misusing central agencies...Rahul Gandhi is not afraid": Congress

New Delhi: The opposition leaders backed Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's claims of ED raids, alleging that the central government is "misusing" the central agencies against opposition leaders and said that the Congress leader is "not afraid" of such threats.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi claimed on Friday that the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) was planning a raid on him following his 'Chakravtyuh' speech in the parliament on July 29.
Congress leader Manickam Tagore alleged that after LoP's 'Chakravyuh' speech in the Parliament, the government wants to attack Rahul Gandhi.
"As we all know the BJP government and Mr Modi in the first 10 years have misused the agencies, particularly ED, CBI, and IT in a very big way to defame the opposition leaders. People voted them out and their majority got reduced. From 303 they got 240 from the support of TDP and JD(U) they have formed the government. This government is again starting to misuse the central agencies against the Leader of the Opposition itself. We all know that the government now led by Mr Modi is a weak government and Mr Modi is a weak Prime Minister. Some sources in the officials have informed the leader of the Opposition about their plan and conspiracy by the government to raid Mr Gandhi ji residence. Before also he was not afraid of all these kinds of threats. He has nothing to hide. After his 'Chakravyuh' speech in the Parliament. The government wants to attack Rahul Gandhi. Today I am moving the adjournment motion," Tagore told ANI.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said that Rahul Gandhi is getting information that ED officials might raid his residence, adding that agencies have kneeled before the government.
"He is getting this information that ED officials might raid his residence. When the government gets scared it puts ED, and CBI forward. We are discussing continuously how this government runs its agendas through ED, CBI, and I-T. You (central government) have done the same thing switch Mahua Moitra, Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Singh, and Arvind Kejriwal. These selective actions show how these agencies have kneeled before the government," Chaturvedi said.
Congress leader Jothimani said that Rahul Gandhi is not afraid as he was standing with the truth.
"Nobody can do anything to him. He stands for the truth. He is fighting for the people of the country. This is not new to him and his family. We firmly stand by him. This shows the Prime Minister's frustration and fear," Jothimani said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut backed Rahul Gandhi's claims of ED raids against him and said that anything can happen and they can attack Rahul Gandhi.
"Anything can happen. They are conspiring against us from a foreign land. They can attack us and Rahul Gandhi. Because the government is tensed with opposition attacks," Sanjay Raut said addressing a press conference.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha
"The opposition condemns the BJP government's misuse of agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax for political harassment. Despite their reduced number from 303 to 240 seats and the reliance on alliances with TDP and JDU, the government continues to deploy these agencies to intimidate opposition leaders and force compliance, undermining democratic principles." reads the notice.
"This misuse of state power is unacceptable and threatens the integrity of our institutions. We demand an immediate cessation of these practices and call for respect for democratic norms and the autonomy of our agencies. Our democracy's health depends on impartial; governance and fair political engagement," he added.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders attacked Rahul Gandhi and said that the latter knows that he has done something wrong and this is going to expose him.
"He knows that he has done something wrong and now he is in fear that he will get exposed. He is already on bail. If he is saying that ED is going to come then he knows that he has done something wrong," Naresh Bansal said.
BJP MP Kangana Ranaut took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi and said that he makes no sense whatever he says.
"What should I say about Rahul Gandhi? He makes no sense, at least I don't get what he says. The most condemnable thing about him is the words he used for the country... It's not good for the country and as Anurag Thakur has said, Congress' mentality is to break the nation in pieces to benefit themselves, this thing has been going on since the time of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru," Ranaut said.
The Congress MP said that he was 'waiting with open arms' after ED 'insiders' told him that a raid was being planned.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, "Apparently, 2 in 1 didn't like my Chakravyuh speech. ED 'insiders' tell me a raid is being planned. Waiting with open arms, @dir_ed. Chai and biscuits on me."
This comes after Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi while speaking on the Union Budget 2024 in the Lok Sabha on July 29. He said farmers, workers, and youngsters of the nation are terrified
He criticized PM Modi for prominently displaying the lotus symbol and claimed that a new 'Chakravyuh' had been created in the 21st century.
The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12.