Harish Rawat will emerge from this: Virendra Rawat
Congress leader Virendra Rawat defends former CM Harish Rawat against ED action, calling it a political move by the BJP.
Congress leader Virendra Rawat has come out in strong defense of his father, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, following recent investigative actions by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Describing the agency's move as a politically motivated attempt to mislead the public, Virendra Rawat expressed confidence that the veteran leader will overcome these legal challenges.
Political Vendetta Alleged
Speaking to the media, Virendra Rawat condemned the ED's recent actions, highlighting his father's fragile health. He noted that Harish Rawat has only recently been discharged from the hospital after a three-month stay and is still in the process of recovery.
"I strongly condemn this because a person has come out after spending three months in the hospital and is still recovering; it hasn't even been two days since he came out," Virendra Rawat stated. He further suggested that the massive public support received by Harish Rawat upon his release has unsettled the current BJP government, triggering these recent investigative steps.
Questions Raised Over 2016 Case
The investigation pertains to alleged irregularities in the 2016 UKSSSC VPDO examination. Virendra Rawat questioned the timing of the agency's renewed interest in a decade-old matter, noting that the case had already undergone investigation and legal action at the time it occurred.
He pointed out the proximity of these developments to upcoming elections, asking, "This case is from 2016, which was investigated at that time, and action was taken against the guilty. There are only a few months left until the elections, and now they're suddenly remembering this case?"
Details of the ED Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate's recent operations in Dehradun were part of a probe into large-scale irregularities during the 2016 examination process. Key details of the search include:
- Targeted Locations: Multiple premises in Dehradun were searched.
- Key Search Site: The residence of Harish Rawat’s personal assistant, Chandan Singh Jeena, was among the locations raided.
- Recoveries: The agency reported finding Rs 32 lakh in unaccounted cash, along with gold and luxury watches.
This investigation follows Harish Rawat's strategic decision on September 11 to resign from two prominent Congress positions. At that time, Rawat emphasized that he did not want any personal legal scrutiny to weaken the party's political struggle.
Concluding his statement, Virendra Rawat remained steadfast, asserting, "I will say again that truth will always remain truth. Undoubtedly, Harish Rawat will emerge from this."