Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 22 (ANI): Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government during a press conference held in Shimla on Tuesday.

Accompanying him were Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, HP Congress President Pratibha Singh, and several other senior Congress leaders.

Gehlot expressed deep concern over the political atmosphere in the country and alleged the misuse of central investigative agencies, and called the current government 'fascist' in nature.

'The situation in the country is not normal. It's difficult to say which direction India is heading in. 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 weaponising 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.

Gehlot further criticised the misuse of Electoral Bonds and alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was being used selectively in these cases.

Gehlot also defended the Gandhi family against long-standing allegations related to the National Herald case, providing detailed financial figures to back his claims.

'Many newspapers face financial ups and downs. Congress gave Rs 90 crore to National Herald over 10 years, of which Rs 70 crore went to salaries and benefits. The paper continues to operate both online and offline,' he explained.

'Though the property was claimed to be worth Rs 5,000 crore, the Income Tax department assessed it at only Rs 413 crore. All assets are still with AJL (Associated Journals Limited), which is a non-profit company. No one made any personal gains,' he said.

Gehlot claimed that even Subramanian Swamy, who originally filed the case, had distanced himself from it. He alleged that after the ED initially closed the case, the Centre reopened it by removing the agency's then-director.

'This is pure political vendetta. The chargesheet hasn't even been made public yet, but tall claims are being made. The government is lodging cases purely on political grounds,' he said.

Gehlot also endorsed Rahul Gandhi's statements on India's political atmosphere, which were made abroad and later reiterated in Parliament.

'Rahul Gandhi was right. I have visited Maharashtra myself and I can confirm what he said reflects the ground reality,' he added.

On the BJP's old allegations regarding Rahul Gandhi's alleged dual citizenship, Gehlot said the BJP targets the Gandhi family, but the people of the country have faith in the Gandhi family.

'The BJP's thinking is flawed. They continue to target the Gandhi family. Yet, people across the country still trust the Gandhi family. Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi refused to accept the post of Prime Minister despite opportunities,' he said.

In response to BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj's recent comments about her handbag during a controversy surrounding the National Herald case, Gehlot dismissed it as a cheap publicity stunt.

'This is just cheap publicity. The National Herald was established in 1938 during the freedom movement. The Gandhi family represents the legacy of this country,' he said.

The Congress press conference was clearly aimed at setting the tone for the upcoming election campaigns and reinforcing the party's narrative of democratic values under threat in Modi's India.

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)