"A conspiracy... part of CM's revenge politics": Pilot rips into Sarma after FIR filed against Rahul, others

New Delhi [India], January 24 : Following the registration of an FIR against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and fellow party leaders KC Venugopal and Kanhaiya Kumar for allegedly provoking a crowd in Guwahati, senior leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday came down heavily on the Assam government claiming that it was a 'conspiracy'.
Rahul, along with Congress general secretary Venugopal and National Students' Union of India All India Congress Committee Incharge Kanhaiya Kumar, were booked along with others after clashes erupted between party supporters and the police after being denied entry to the state capital on Monday.
The FIR, registered at the behest of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday, accused Rahul and other party leaders, who are part of the Congress's ongoing 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', of 'wanton acts of violence'.
However, the case was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Assam.
Speaking with ANI on Wednesday, Pilot said, "After the encouraging public response to the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', the Congress high command requested Rahul-ji to take out a similar (hybrid) march from East to West. The Yatra rolled out from Manipur and reached Assam without any hassles. However, there was a conspiracy to put obstacles and throw a spanner in the works of the Yatra as it reached Assam. Rahul-ji was even stopped from visiting a temple. I had never before seen a sitting chief minister order the registration of an FIR against an Opposition leader in such an undemocratic manner and promote violence. The Assam government, with the help of the police administration, is trying to stop a peaceful Yatra. This is undemocratic and I condemn it."
The Congress leader claimed that the FIR against Rahul and others was a part of CM Sarma's 'revenge politics'.
"The FIR filed against our leaders is a part of the CM's revenge politics. Rahulji said clearly he would conduct a peaceful Yatra. But the Assam chief minister is promoting terror and resorting to pressure politics with the help of the police. However, neither Rahul-ji nor anyone in the Congress is afraid of such intimidatory tactics. If anything, this would strengthen our resolve to push along with this Yatra and take it to its end," the former Union minister said.
On the situation in neighbouring Manipur, which has been racked by ethnic strife in the recent past and continues to report violence, Pilot said, "It is the responsibility of the Manipur government to handle the situation and restore peace. The people of the state have been displaced and are living in fear in the wake of violence over the past few months. However, it is Rahul-ji, and not the government, who is working to provide succour to the people by sharing their grief. This is why we decided to launch the yatra from Manipur."
Taking a swipe at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, the former Rajasthan deputy chief minister said, "The youth and the women are being made to feel left out under the current regime. The Centre has only resorted to propaganda and suppressed the voice of the Opposition by misusing agencies."
On Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said an FIR was registered against Rahul, Venugopal and Kanhaiya Kumar, among others, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
"With reference to wanton acts of violence, provocation, damage to public property and assault on police personnel today by Cong members, an FIR has been registered against Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Kanhaiya Kumar and other individuals under section 120(B) 143/147/188/283/353/332/333/427 IPC R/W Sec. 3 of PDPP Act," CM Sarma posted from his official X handle on Wednesday.
The FIR was filed after the Assam chief minister, on Tuesday, warned of a criminal case against Rahul, adding that he will have him arrested after the Lok Sabha elections.
Following the clash between police and Congress workers in the Khanapara area, the Assam CM alleged that Rahul tried to force his way into Guwahati with about 3000 supporters and 200 vehicles.
"You can imagine what the situation might have been had 3000 people and 200 vehicles entered Guwahati. For six days, we had been asking him to take an alternative route that would be more acceptable to us. However, he insisted on passing through Guwahati. Despite being advised against it, the Congress workers tried to force their way into Gauhati and clashed with the police," the Assam CM told reporters.
Meanwhile, responding to the registration of an FIR against him, Rahul dared the CM to file "as many cases as he wants", adding that he wasn't scared or intimidated.
"I don't know what gave him (CM Sarma) the idea that he could scare Rahul Gandhi. File as many cases as you want against me, I am not afraid. I am neither scared of the BJP nor the RSS. If you have filed 25 cases against me, file 25 more. Be happy," Rahul said earlier while addressing a public meeting at Barpeta on the sidelines of the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra'.