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Journalism of Courage
A lot can change in a month’s time in politics. The allegations against the Arvind Kejriwal government in the Delhi excise policy case were serious and there should be an investigation, the Congress had said just over a month ago. On Tuesday, the party saw the case as yet another instance of misuse of investigating agencies by the BJP government against the Opposition parties.
The two parties which were at daggers drawn till some time ago are now partners in the Opposition unity project.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had spoken to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday after the latter was summoned by the CBI for questioning in connection with the excise policy case. Kharge extended solidarity with Kejriwal. However, differences within the Congress over its approach towards AAP and the case came out in the open soon with senior leader Ajay Maken saying that Kejriwal should not be shown any sympathy or support.
Today, AICC in-charge of Delhi Shaktisinh Gohil preferred to view the case as yet another instance of alleged misuse of investigating agencies.
Asked about Maken and Punjab Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa’s attacks on Kejriwal, Gohil said “hamara local kahin par chalta hai. But at the national level…we don’t obstruct action against corruption…even when we were in the government…in the 2G case, the Supreme Court had set up a committee… but the BJP demanded setting up of a JPC… despite the Supreme Court having set up a committee…the UPA government allowed…has Modi agreed for a JPC into the Adani issue…”
“Here the Central agencies are being misused. Central agencies are misused only against the Opposition parties….We have been opposing misuse of Central agencies wherever it is done. Being the in-charge of Delhi, I have told the leaders from Delhi that we are fighting against misuse of Central agencies, we will continue to fight…wherever the Opposition leaders are harassed by misusing Central agencies…we will stand with that Opposition leader,” he said, addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters.
Asked about Maken’s remarks, Gohil said there is internal democracy in Congress and termed it as Maken’s personal opinion. “I have told you the national line of our party,” he said, adding if the case is proved in the court then the matter is different. “As of today…it is clear that Central agencies are being misused to break Opposition parties…,” he added.
The Congress had from the same podium claimed just over a month ago that the allegations in the Delhi excise policy case were serious.
Addressing a press conference then, the party’s digital media head Supriya Shrinate had said: “Our stand is clear. The allegations are serious. We are the original complainant. And there should be an investigation. In the same breath, we can say without any doubt that in most of the cases, you are using your agencies against the Opposition.”
