Opposition Leaders in the Crosshairs: ED Summons and Political Maneuvering Ahead of Assembly Polls
The lead-up to the assembly polls witnessed a series of raids conducted by central investigation agencies on opposition leaders, raising questions about the timing and political motivations behind these actions. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), empowered by the Supreme Court in 2022, has been accused of targeting opposition figures during crucial election campaigns. Here, we delve into specific cases, examining which leaders from various political parties were summoned and the reasons behind these summonses.
SUMMONS:
Rajasthan:
- Leaders Summoned:
- Pradesh Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra.
- Congress MLA Om Prakash Hudla.
- Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s son, Vaibhav Gehlot.
- Reasons for Summons:
- Dotasra and Hudla faced searches related to an alleged teachers’ entrance exam leak.
- Vaibhav Gehlot summoned in connection with a FEMA case against Triton Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd.
- Political Context:
- Chief Minister Gehlot accused the ED of targeting Congress leaders during the election campaign.
Chhattisgarh:
- Leaders Summoned:
- Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s political adviser Vinod Verma.
- Two Officers on Special Duty.
- Accusations Against Baghel:
- Implicated in the Mahadev betting app case, allegedly receiving Rs 508 crore as a bribe.
- Baghel denied allegations, claiming no connection with those mentioned by the ED.
- Alleged cash courier Asim Das later claimed framing in a conspiracy.
- Other Cases:
- ED raids in the Jal Jeevan Mission scam and other corruption-related cases.
Madhya Pradesh:
- Leaders Summoned:
- Ratul Puri, nephew of Congress’s chief ministerial candidate Kamal Nath.
- Former relationship manager Nitin Bhatnagar in the Moser Baer case.
- Bank Fraud Case:
- Ratul Puri arrested in an alleged Rs 354 crore bank fraud case.
- Nitin Bhatnagar arrested in connection with the Moser Baer case.
- Allegations by Congress:
- Congress leaders claimed the ED and income tax department targeted party workers to benefit the BJP.
Telangana:
- Leaders Summoned:
- Bharat Rashtra Samithi MLC K. Kavitha.
- Congress MLA candidate G.Vivek.
- Charges:
- Kavitha summoned in the Delhi excise policy case.
- ED alleged Kavitha’s involvement in the “South Group” paying bribes to the Aam Aadmi Party.
- G.Vivek targeted in connection with a Rs 8 crore transaction.
- Political Impact:
- Opposition parties criticized the use of investigation agencies to influence elections.
VIDEO | "Enforcement Directorate (ED) is only a resource for planning political conspiracy. ED had filed a case under Prevention of Money Laundering Act against two elderly farmers named Kanhaiyan, who is 72 years old and Krishnan, who is 62 years old. They together have a bank… pic.twitter.com/9FauP6URL1
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 6, 2024
Leave a Reply