Siddaramaiah, DKS Slam ED Chargesheet Against Gandhis
17 April 2025 10:55 AM IST17 April 2025 10:55 AM IST
CM Siddaramaiah accused the BJP-led Union government of using central agencies like the ED as tools of political vendetta
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar (PTI file image)
Kalaburagi: Top Congress leaders in Karnataka, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, have strongly condemned the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against senior party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, calling it a politically motivated move.
Addressing reporters in Kalaburagi, CM Siddaramaiah accused the BJP-led Union government of using central agencies like the ED as tools of political vendetta. “The BJP is acting with political motives. The National Herald did not begin yesterday. The filing of this chargesheet is driven by hatred and revenge,” he said.
In a press statement, Siddaramaiah described the ED’s action as part of a larger pattern of “vindictive politics” orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. “This is not just retribution against two Congress leaders. It is a warning to opposition parties and citizens who believe in democracy — dissent will not be tolerated,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Congress would not be intimidated and vowed to fight back with “truth and justice.” He added that the party’s workers would take to the streets in protest, framing the issue as a battle to defend the Constitution and democratic values. He also urged citizens who believe in democracy to join the Congress in resisting authoritarianism.
Siddaramaiah alleged that the ED had been repeatedly used to harass opposition leaders and that the chargesheet against the Gandhis was “based entirely on fabricated narratives” after the agency failed to find substantial evidence in the National Herald case.
Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar echoed similar sentiments, describing the ED’s move as “unjust” and “baseless.” Speaking to the media, he said, “The Gandhis have not personally benefited from the National Herald. It is a Congress party property. Their names are included only because they lead the party. This is nothing but political vendetta.”
The ED recently filed a chargesheet alleging financial irregularities linked to the National Herald case, naming both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi among others. The Congress has dismissed the charges as part of a larger campaign of political persecution.
Addressing reporters in Kalaburagi, CM Siddaramaiah accused the BJP-led Union government of using central agencies like the ED as tools of political vendetta. “The BJP is acting with political motives. The National Herald did not begin yesterday. The filing of this chargesheet is driven by hatred and revenge,” he said.
In a press statement, Siddaramaiah described the ED’s action as part of a larger pattern of “vindictive politics” orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. “This is not just retribution against two Congress leaders. It is a warning to opposition parties and citizens who believe in democracy — dissent will not be tolerated,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the Congress would not be intimidated and vowed to fight back with “truth and justice.” He added that the party’s workers would take to the streets in protest, framing the issue as a battle to defend the Constitution and democratic values. He also urged citizens who believe in democracy to join the Congress in resisting authoritarianism.
Siddaramaiah alleged that the ED had been repeatedly used to harass opposition leaders and that the chargesheet against the Gandhis was “based entirely on fabricated narratives” after the agency failed to find substantial evidence in the National Herald case.
Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar echoed similar sentiments, describing the ED’s move as “unjust” and “baseless.” Speaking to the media, he said, “The Gandhis have not personally benefited from the National Herald. It is a Congress party property. Their names are included only because they lead the party. This is nothing but political vendetta.”
The ED recently filed a chargesheet alleging financial irregularities linked to the National Herald case, naming both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi among others. The Congress has dismissed the charges as part of a larger campaign of political persecution.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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