New Delhi: Amid crackdown on Congress leaders who are protesting over the questioning of Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate, some leaders and even MPs have alleged that they were not allowed to go to the Congress headquarters at 24 Akbar Road here and many MPs claim that they were not even permitted to leave their house.
"Today, Delhi Police forcibly entered the HQ of India's oldest political party. As they burst the doors open to the AICC HQ, they trampled upon the democracy our forefathers fought and gave their lives for. The BJP has truly killed Indian democracy. It doesn't get darker than this," said K.C. Venugopal, Congress general secretary (organisation).
Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewala told ANI, "In an act of absolute goondaism perpetuated by Delhi police at stance of govt, they entered Congress office & beat up workers. This is criminal trespass. Their goondaism has reached its zenith. This won't be tolerated & will be accounted for."
"We demand an FIR be lodged, they be suspended & disciplinary inquiry be initiated. Today all Congress leaders will hold press conferences. Tomorrow Congress will gherao all Raj Bhavans across India. Protests will also be held at all District levels day after tomorrow," he added.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, "You have closed entry and exit of AICC, what is this going on? A proper response will be given."
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi reached the Enforcement Directorate office for the third consecutive day for questioning after which the party workers, accompanied by senior leaders, staged a protest outside the ED office.
Several Congress workers, including women, were detained by the Delhi Police.
All the people were stopped at least 1 km before the ED office as the police closed the road by putting up barricades.
The Congress workers sat just before the barricade and raised slogans in favour of their leader and against the present dispensation at the Centre.
"Many people threw barricades at police near AICC office, so there might've been a scrimmage. But police didn't go inside the AICC office and use lathi charge. Police are not using any force. We will appeal to them to coordinate with us", said SP Hooda, Special CP (L&O)
