Addressing the protests against the “removal” of CBI director Alok Verma in front of the CBI headquarters here on Friday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the Centre has destroyed all the institutions in the country in the last four-and-a-half year. “We have no intention to attack the institution (CBI office) but it is the Prime Minister who is constantly attacking the institutions. Be it the CBI, the Election Commission of India, Legislative Assemblies, the Lok Sabha, Modi is attacking all these institutions,” he said.

Opposition joins the fray

Other Opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress, the CPI and the Loktantrik Janata Dal also joined the Congress’ protests. The party also organised similar protests at various State capitals and district centres, targeting the Prime Minister.

Linking the changes in the CBI to Rafale deal, he said Modi put in ₹30,000 crore in the pocket of industrialist Anil Ambani. “He took this money from the Indian Air Force, from the police personnel and from the Government of India and put it into the pocket of a businessman who is under a debt of ₹45,000 crore. Modi is now scared ‘chowkidar’ and that is why he removed the CBI Director. Congress will not allow such misadventures by the PM,” Gandhi added.

Rahul Gandhi and other leaders were arrested after the march and were detained briefly. Later, talking to reporters at Lodhi Colony police station, he said Modi can run away from the reality but he cannot hide the facts. “The truth will speak for itself. Removing the CBI Director will make no difference,” he said.

Though he did not comment on the Supreme Court’s directions on the matter, he said Modi acted against the Director of the CBI under panic. “The Prime Minister has failed to waive-off the loans of the farmers whereas on the other hand persons like Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi absconded from the country with ₹35,000 crore and Vijay Mallya with ₹9,000 crore. Lalit Modi is also one such absconders,” he added.

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