Telangana Congress To Protest Against BJP’s Misuse of ED
Objects to removal of Mahatma Gandhi’s name for rural jobs scheme
Hyderabad: The ruling Congress in Telangana has announced a series of protests across the state against the BJP-led Union government over what it termed the misuse of central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target political rivals and the dilution of MGNREGS.
The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Wednesday finalised plans to hold dharnas in front of BJP offices at all district headquarters on Thursday, demanding that the party issue a public apology to the nation over the Enforcement Directorate’s actions targeting AICC leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case.
TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud said the protests would highlight the Congress’ stance on the political misuse of investigative agencies to malign the Gandhi family.
He recalled that the ED had filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi about eight months ago, alleging fraudulent takeover of the National Herald newspaper. However, he noted that the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of the chargesheet, observing that the money laundering case was not based on a first information report, which is a prerequisite for such proceedings.
The TPCC stated that the court’s decision exposed what he described as baseless allegations levelled with political intent, and said the BJP must be held accountable for attempting to defame senior Congress leaders through what he termed an abuse of power.
The state Congress announced another round of protests on December 21 at all district headquarters against the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme by the Centre. Goud said these protests, initially scheduled earlier, were rescheduled to ensure wider participation.
The TPCC accused the BJP government at the Centre of undermining the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi by altering the name of the MGNREGS scheme and changing its funding pattern, thereby shifting a heavier financial burden onto states.
Describing MGNREGS as a landmark welfare initiative that generated local employment and strengthened rural livelihoods, it said the Congress would continue to oppose any move that weakens the programme or erases its historical significance.
