Uddhav's Shiv Sena Stands By Rahul Gandhi Amid ED Raid Remark: 'INDIA Bloc Will...'

Standing strong with Rahul Gandhi over his claim that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is planning to raid him, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi stated on Friday that all partners of the opposition INDIA bloc would strongly oppose such actions if the agency targets the Congress leader.

Chaturvedi said that the ruling BJP had not learned from the recent Lok Sabha election results and warned that the public is closely monitoring the actions of central agencies.

"The people are watching how all the agencies are being misused to target opposition leaders. Today, all our central agencies have bowed down to the central government," she said.

Highlighting Rahul Gandhi's role as the Leader of the Opposition, Chaturvedi added, "Being the LoP, Rahul Gandhi is raising issues concerning the people. If ED knocks at the doors of Rahul Gandhi, all the partners of INDIA alliance will strongly oppose it."

These remarks followed Rahul Gandhi's claim that the ED was planning a raid on him in response to his critical 'Chakravyuh' speech during the discussion on the Union budget.

Gandhi had said on X (formerly Twitter) that ED "insiders" informed him about the planned raid, to which he responded by stating he would be waiting for the agency with "open arms," even offering them chai and biscuits.

"Apparently, 2 in 1 didn't like my Chakravyuh speech. ED 'insiders' tell me a raid is being planned," Gandhi posted. "Waiting with open arms @dir_ed.....Chai and biscuits on me."

During the budget discussion, Gandhi used the Mahabharata concept of 'Chakravyuh' to criticise the BJP, arguing that the party had created a modern-day 'Chakravyuh' in the form of a lotus, alluding to the BJP's symbol.

He accused the Centre of entrapping various sectors of Indian society, including youth, women, farmers, and small and medium businesses.

Gandhi asserted that six individuals, including Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, were at the center of this 'Chakravyuh'. Although he tried to name four others, Speaker Om Birla disallowed it, as they were not members of the House.

Later, in a post on X, Gandhi stated, "Today a 21st century lotus-shaped Chakravyuh is trapping India and is controlled by six figures: Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Adani, Ambani, Ajit Doval, and Mohan Bhagwat."