Speaking on the Enforcement Directorate's probe into the National Herald case, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, 4 August, said that it was an intimidation attempt by the Narendra Modi-led government.
He said, "They think they will be able to silence us with a little pressure...We won't be intimidated. We are not scared of Narendra Modi. They can do whatever they want."
Meanwhile, all Members of Parliament (MP) from the Congress met on Thursday at the Congress Parliamentary Party office to "discuss the future strategy of the party."
Congress Party Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs met in Parliament House.
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
The call for the meeting came after the ED sealed the office of Young Indian at the National Herald office and Delhi Police personnel were deployed outside the Congress headquarters on Akbar Road on Wednesday.
The Congress also moved an adjournment motion in Parliament on Thursday over Wednesday's incident.
In another video where Rahul Gandhi can be seen in the Parliament, he said, "The truth cannot be barricaded."
Congress Slams ED's Move of Summoning LoP Kharge Amid Parliament Session
Taking to Twitter, MP and Congress General Secretary in-charge of Communication, Jairam Ramesh said "Modishah" reached "new lows" by getting the ED to summon Kharge amid a ongoing Parliament session.
Kharge had been summoned by the ED at around 12.30 pm on Thursday, in connection with the probe regarding the National Herald case.
"Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, was summoned by the ED when Parliament is in session. He, of course, left around 12:20pm and presented himself. This is Modishahi reaching new lows," Ramesh tweeted.
"I received ED summon, they called me at 12.30pm. I want to abide by law, but is it right for them to summon when Parliament is in session? Is it right for Police to gherao residences of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi? We won't be scared, we'll fight," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge had said earlier in the day.
Congress MP KC Venugopal also condemned the summons to Kharge.
"Same thing happened when Sanjay Raut was arrested, they did not inform the parliament so far. Privilege for members of parliament exists for the safe keep of democracy. But this government does not want democracy at all," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The ED on Wednesday sealed the office of Young Indian located on the National Herald premises in Delhi, amid a money laundering probe against the Congress mouthpiece.
Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi was questioned by the ED in the case last week.
The action by the probe agency was criticised by Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Ashok Gehlot, Abhishek Singhvi, and others.
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