<p>The CBI on Friday conducted searches at the residence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's brother Agrasen Gehlot in Jodhpur and several other places in connection allegations of corruption in export of fertilisers meant for farmers and subsidy being claimed on it, attracting charges of "vendetta politics" from the Congress.</p>.<p>The searches are conducted at 17 locations in Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal related to the accused in the case. The alleged scam took place in 2007-09 and the CBI initiated search proceedings after registering a case against Agrasen Gehlot.</p>.<p>Congress described the raids as "vendetta politics" and said that it will not be silenced by such tactics. It said Chief Minister Gehlot was at the forefront of protests in Delhi against the ED over the past three days and this was Modi government's "brazen response".</p>.<p>"Harassment of Opposition leaders who stand up and speak truth to power has become the hallmark of the BJP government. I stand in solidarity with Ashok Gehlot-ji and his family against this politics of vendetta. Our fight will go on," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is facing Enforcement Directorate questioning, tweeted. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/raids-against-ashok-gehlots-brother-vendetta-politics-says-cong-1118909.html" target="_blank">Raids against Ashok Gehlot's brother vendetta politics, says Congress</a></strong></p>.<p>"This is vendetta politics beyond all bounds. Ashok Gehlot was at the forefront of the protests in Delhi over the past three days, and this is Modi Government's brazen response! We will not be silenced," Congress chief spokesperson Jairam Ramesh tweeted.</p>.<p>Gehlot said he has been in politics for 50 years and that he cannot be scared by such actions, which are meant to divert attention from serious issues like price rise and unemployment.</p>.<p>"When there was a political crisis in Rajasthan in 2020, then the ED raided my brother. If I am active in Delhi, if I am taking part in the protests related to Rahul Gandhi's questioning, why is someone targeting my brother who is not in politics? Common man does not like these kinds of actions. This will have an impact on the BJP in the near future," the Chief Minister told reporters in Jaipur. He said he will return to Delhi on Sunday and take part in protests the next day.</p>.<p>According to the CBI, muriate of potash meant for farmers was exported to South East Asian countries, Saudi Arabia and other markets camouflaged as 'industrial salt' between 2007-09.</p>.<p>The government subsidy on the fertiliser was also allegedly pocketed by the accused through sham transactions among related companies, it claimed.</p>.<p>Earlier in July 2020, the ED had raised Agrasen's premises in connection with a money laundering case linked to the fertiliser scam.</p>.<p>The ED case is based on a Customs case of 2007-09 in connection with the supply of subsidised Muriate of Potash (MOP) to farmers, the investigation of which was wrapped up in 2013. The Customs had slapped a Rs 7 crore penalty on Agrasen's firm earlier.</p>
<p>The CBI on Friday conducted searches at the residence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's brother Agrasen Gehlot in Jodhpur and several other places in connection allegations of corruption in export of fertilisers meant for farmers and subsidy being claimed on it, attracting charges of "vendetta politics" from the Congress.</p>.<p>The searches are conducted at 17 locations in Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal related to the accused in the case. The alleged scam took place in 2007-09 and the CBI initiated search proceedings after registering a case against Agrasen Gehlot.</p>.<p>Congress described the raids as "vendetta politics" and said that it will not be silenced by such tactics. It said Chief Minister Gehlot was at the forefront of protests in Delhi against the ED over the past three days and this was Modi government's "brazen response".</p>.<p>"Harassment of Opposition leaders who stand up and speak truth to power has become the hallmark of the BJP government. I stand in solidarity with Ashok Gehlot-ji and his family against this politics of vendetta. Our fight will go on," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is facing Enforcement Directorate questioning, tweeted. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read — <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/raids-against-ashok-gehlots-brother-vendetta-politics-says-cong-1118909.html" target="_blank">Raids against Ashok Gehlot's brother vendetta politics, says Congress</a></strong></p>.<p>"This is vendetta politics beyond all bounds. Ashok Gehlot was at the forefront of the protests in Delhi over the past three days, and this is Modi Government's brazen response! We will not be silenced," Congress chief spokesperson Jairam Ramesh tweeted.</p>.<p>Gehlot said he has been in politics for 50 years and that he cannot be scared by such actions, which are meant to divert attention from serious issues like price rise and unemployment.</p>.<p>"When there was a political crisis in Rajasthan in 2020, then the ED raided my brother. If I am active in Delhi, if I am taking part in the protests related to Rahul Gandhi's questioning, why is someone targeting my brother who is not in politics? Common man does not like these kinds of actions. This will have an impact on the BJP in the near future," the Chief Minister told reporters in Jaipur. He said he will return to Delhi on Sunday and take part in protests the next day.</p>.<p>According to the CBI, muriate of potash meant for farmers was exported to South East Asian countries, Saudi Arabia and other markets camouflaged as 'industrial salt' between 2007-09.</p>.<p>The government subsidy on the fertiliser was also allegedly pocketed by the accused through sham transactions among related companies, it claimed.</p>.<p>Earlier in July 2020, the ED had raised Agrasen's premises in connection with a money laundering case linked to the fertiliser scam.</p>.<p>The ED case is based on a Customs case of 2007-09 in connection with the supply of subsidised Muriate of Potash (MOP) to farmers, the investigation of which was wrapped up in 2013. The Customs had slapped a Rs 7 crore penalty on Agrasen's firm earlier.</p>
