Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], April 16: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday strongly criticised the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the recent charges filed against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in connection with the National Herald case. Calling it a “great injustice,” he denounced the move as a clear case of political vendetta.
Speaking to reporters, Shivakumar asserted, “Whatever the ED has submitted is not proper. It is a great injustice. In no way has the Gandhi family benefitted from it. It is the property of the Congress party. They are the heads of the party, former presidents. This is only a political vendetta.”
Echoing the sentiment, senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot accused the BJP-led Central government of misusing investigative agencies like the ED and CBI to target political opponents. “The whole country knows that ED and CBI are political tools used by the government of India. Sonia Gandhi’s life is in the public domain—this is an attempt to tarnish her image. Whatever the facts are, they will come out. I have full faith in the judiciary,” said Pilot.
He further alleged that the government’s intent was to demoralise and defame the opposition through calculated moves. “This is the BJP government’s targeted modus operandi, aimed at defaming the opponents,” Pilot added.
In response to the chargesheet, the Congress Party launched massive protests across the country. Demonstrators gathered at party offices and major public locations to voice their opposition to what they describe as the Central government’s misuse of power. At several protest sites, including outside the Congress office, party workers were detained by the police.
The ED’s chargesheet has intensified the political battle, with the Congress determined to push back, framing the investigation as a deliberate distraction tactic ahead of key elections.