ED chargesheet against Sonia, Rahul Gandhi 'state-sponsored crime': Congress

New Delhi: Congress has described the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as “state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law” and asked its leaders and workers to stage protests in state capitals and district headquarters on Wednesday against the "crude attempt at political intimidation" by the ruling BJP.

Sources said the Congress is viewing the flurry of ED actions, including the ED charge-sheet in the National Herald case, as a response to its renewed vigour, especially after the Ahmedabad AICC Session, and a ploy to divert its attention from its organisation rebooting exercise.

The party has instructed its senior leaders, MLAs, MPs, leaders and workers to protest in front of ED offices in state capitals and at central government offices in district headquarters, as a party circular referred to the "arbitrary" charge-sheet and the ED starting the "unjust" process to take possession of three National Herald properties worth Rs 661.91 crore.

In a circular to state and central leadership, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said the party "unequivocally condemns" the "latest draconian" actions by the Modi government is "not a matter of legal procedure" but "state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law".

The filing of the charge-sheet represents a "grotesque misuse of state power" and a "direct assault on the idea of democratic opposition" by the ruling regime, which has "gone completely berserk", he said, adding that the Congress will "never be silenced".

"The values of truth, justice, and Constitutional democracy are non-negotiable for us. Satyameva Jayate (Let Truth Prevail) is not just a slogan, it is a conviction," Venugopal said in the circular.

Calling it a "witch hunt", he posted on 'X', "this reeks of desperation from the PM and Home Minister, who are failing to address the concerns of the people and are looking to continuously create distraction after distraction. However, it seems they have forgotten that this is a family that has given its blood for the country. Their petty tactics, using their lapdog agencies, are not going to deter us -- in fact, it is only going to further strengthen our resolve against this divisive, destructive regime."

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said the filing of chargesheet was "nothing but the politics of vendetta" and "intimidation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi".  

Senior MP and lawyer Abhishek Singhvi claimed the case is a "one-trick wonder" where a money laundering case has been initiated "without there being any movement of money, any movement of property, any activity which caused the transfer...Mere creation of a not-for profit company (to manage the affairs of National Herald)...has been treated as money laundering".

Congress Lok Sabha Whip Manickam Tagore said it was a "clear case of political vendetta" and an attempt to silence the Leader of the Opposition, who is fighting against the "misrule" of Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. 

"We will fight this...They want to stop Rahul Gandhi's fight for OBCs, SCs, STs and minorities. Rahul-ji is our leader, who will fight against injustice. All Congress workers will stand with him in this fight," he added.