Congress to stage protest at Raj Bhavan today

PANJIM: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) will stage a protest in front of Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula at 11 am on Thursday, in protest against the questioning of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged money laundering linked to the National Herald newspaper. 

Speaking to reporters at the Congress House, here. GPCC President Amit Patkar on Wednesday strongly condemned manhandling and detaining of Congress leaders by the police in the AICC headquarters, Delhi. 

Calling it an undemocratic act, he said that the police entered the AICC office and lathi-charged and lifted party leaders from the office. He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should answer why this was done to Congress leaders. 

Patkar denied that any assets of the historic National Herald newspaper were transferred into the accounts of AICC leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as per the affidavits filed by them. 

GPCC spokesman Captain Viriato Fernandes said that the way things are moving in the country is not good. He said that the Election Commission of India (ECI), New Delhi had studied the National Herald case and on November 6, 2012, stated that there was nothing in the case and that it was not an illegal loan. 

He claimed that since the loan was not reflected in the affidavits filed by Gandhis only proves that it did not belong to them. He said that the National Herald was a legacy belonging to Young India Journal, a non-profit organisation and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was playing politics of vendetta since it had no legacy to leave behind.

Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Beena Naik said that since no FIR has been filed against Gandhis under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, how can ED summon them and question them. This is nothing but vindictive politics, she said adding that the ED is not questioning but tormenting Rahul Gandhi for the last three days. 

Congress MLAs, MP, office-bearers and workers will participate in the protest march at the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, Patkar said adding that if possible, a delegation of Congress leaders will meet Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai and submit a memorandum to him.