Congress party workers took to the streets of Patna on Wednesday, staging a vigorous demonstration against what they termed as the Bharatiya Janata Party's decade-long campaign to tarnish the image of the Congress top leadership through investigative agencies. The protest was a direct response to a significant legal development a day prior.
Court's Decision Sparks Political Showdown
The agitation was triggered after a Delhi court on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of a chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the high-profile National Herald case. The court explicitly stated that no offence of money laundering was made out against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, or anyone else in the matter.
Led by the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president, Rajesh Kumar, a large group of protesters assembled at the I-T roundabout in the city. From there, they marched towards the local BJP office to stage their demonstration, voicing their anger and relief simultaneously.
"Truth Cannot Be Suppressed": Voices from the Protest
The demonstrators carried placards with strong messages condemning the central government. Slogans like "Truth can’t be suppressed and Congress can’t be cowed down. Stop misuse of ED and IT" and "Satta ka nasha chhodo" (Leave the intoxication of power) were prominently displayed, capturing the mood of the gathering.
Addressing the media, Rajesh Kumar launched a sharp attack on the ruling party. He asserted that the BJP's alleged attempts over the past ten years to defame the Congress national leadership by misusing central agencies now stand fully exposed. "The court refused to take cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the ED against both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," Kumar stated, adding that the agency had named the leaders only to harass them unnecessarily in a baseless money laundering case.
He emphasized that the court had reprimanded the ED in clear terms, validating the Congress's long-held position. Kumar alleged that the entire National Herald case was fabricated with the sole intention of targeting and harassing the Gandhi family politically.
Political Repercussions and the Road Ahead
This protest in the Bihar capital highlights the escalating political tensions following the court's order. The event is seen as part of a broader strategy by the Congress to go on the offensive and rally its cadre by showcasing the legal outcome as a moral and political victory. It signals a potential shift in the party's narrative, aiming to turn the tables on the BJP by accusing it of weaponizing government agencies for political vendetta.
The quashing of the chargesheet has provided fresh ammunition to the opposition, which has consistently criticized the government over the alleged selective use of the ED and the Income Tax department. The Patna protest is likely a precursor to similar demonstrations elsewhere in the country as the Congress seeks to capitalize on this development in the lead-up to future electoral battles.
