Priyanka Chaturvedi Supports Rahul Gandhi’s Claim of Potential ED Raid, Criticizes BJP

New Delhi, 2nd August 2024: Showing support for Rahul Gandhi’s assertion that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) might conduct a raid on him, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi stated on Friday that all members of the opposition INDIA bloc will firmly oppose any such action by the agency against the Congress leader.

Chaturvedi criticized the ruling BJP, suggesting they had not learned from the recent Lok Sabha election results and warned that the public is closely observing how central agencies are being utilized.

“The public is aware of the misuse of agencies to target opposition figures. Currently, it seems all our central agencies are serving the central government’s interests,” the Rajya Sabha member remarked.

Chaturvedi added, “Rahul Gandhi, as the Leader of the Opposition, is addressing issues affecting the public. Should the ED attempt to raid him, every partner in the INDIA alliance will strongly oppose it.”

These comments followed Rahul Gandhi’s claim that the ED was preparing to raid him after his critical ‘Chakravyuh’ speech during the Union budget discussion.

On X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi alleged that he had been informed by “ED insiders” about a potential raid and humorously noted he would welcome the agency with “open arms,” even offering them tea and biscuits.

“2 in 1 didn’t like my Chakravyuh speech. ED ‘insiders’ tell me a raid is being planned,” Gandhi wrote. “Waiting with open arms @dir_ed…..Chai and biscuits on me.”

In his budget speech, Gandhi used the Mahabharata’s ‘Chakravyuh’ as a metaphor to criticize the BJP, suggesting that the party had constructed a modern-day ‘Chakravyuh’ symbolized by the lotus, referring to the BJP’s emblem.

He accused the government of ensnaring various sectors of Indian society, including the youth, women, farmers, and small businesses. Gandhi identified six individuals, including Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as central to this ‘Chakravyuh.’ Although he tried to name four more, Speaker Om Birla blocked this as they were not members of the House.

Later on X, Gandhi stated, “Today’s 21st-century lotus-shaped Chakravyuh is ensnaring India and is controlled by six figures: Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Adani, Ambani, Ajit Doval, and Mohan Bhagwat.”