Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 22 (ANI): Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot defended Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi National Herald case and accused the BJP-led government of misusing the ED.

'People understand everything, there's no point in these things. Ever since these people came to power, they have been talking about a Congress-free country, an opposition-free country, and you know what they say about the Gandhi family...the family whose sacrifice and martyrdom is written in history...Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru handed over Anand Bhavan to the government, which was a property worth crores. He dedicated it to the country, and they are accusing that family...you see how these people misuse the ED...there has not been a transaction of even a single rupee, yet they are targeting Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi...,' Gehlot told ANI.

He further said that National Herald was started by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and the newspaper played an important role in the freedom movement.

'If the Congress wants to revive the newspaper, then what is the BJP's problem. When there is no money laundering, then how can Congress leaders be targeted?' he added.

Earlier, Gehlot, during the press conference, expressed deep concern over the political atmosphere in the country, alleging misuse of central investigative agencies and calling the current government 'fascist' in nature.

'The situation in the country is not normal. It's difficult to say in which direction India is heading. During the Congress rule, democracy was always strengthened. But now the central government sees opposition parties as enemies,' said Ashok Gehlot.

He accused the Modi government of weaponizing institutions like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax Department to target opposition leaders while giving a clean chit to those aligned with the ruling party. 'ED has created an atmosphere of fear. All corrupt people are being washed clean in the BJP's washing machine,' he said, in a sharp jibe at the ruling party.

The press conference, held at the Himachal Pradesh Congress headquarters, saw the presence of multiple dignitaries, including AICC national spokesperson and Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Cabinet Minister Anirudh Singh, former minister Asha Kumari, MLA Vivek Sharma, Congress co-incharge Chetan Chauhan, and former minister Ram Lal Thakur. (ANI)