In a scathing critique of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Rai launched a sharp attack on the Modi-Yogi government, accusing it of applying selective justice and failing to act against the accused in a high-profile alleged narcotic cough syrup racket.
Congress Questions 'Double Standards' in Bulldozer Action
Addressing a press conference at his camp office in Varanasi on Saturday, Rai directly questioned the government's much-publicised policy of using bulldozers against alleged criminals. He pointedly asked why this aggressive action was conspicuously absent in the cough syrup case. "When the government does not hesitate to use bulldozers against opposition leaders and dissenting voices, why has no such action been taken against the accused in this case," Rai demanded.
To underscore his point, the Congress leader staged a symbolic protest, displaying a model bulldozer and blowing a whistle. He alleged that the bulldozer policy, often touted as a tool against crime and mafia, was being weaponised selectively to silence political opponents while letting serious accused individuals go scot-free.
Main Accused Abroad, Govt Silent: Rai Alleges
Rai drew attention to the current status of the principal accused in the case, Shubham Jaiswal. He claimed that Jaiswal is currently overseas and is allegedly even posting reels on social media, while both the central and state governments remain silent. "Those who are asking questions and speaking the truth are being silenced, while the main accused is roaming freely abroad," Rai stated.
He also referenced the recent court appearance of former IPS officer Amitabh Thakur in connection with the case, alleging that attempts were made to drown out his voice during the proceedings. Rai questioned the role of investigative agencies and sought to know who was providing protection to the accused.
Congress Demands Extradition, Probe, and Demolition
Drawing a comparison to other high-profile extraditions, Rai argued that if fugitives like the Luthra brothers could be brought back to India from Thailand, there was no reason the main accused in the cough syrup case could not be extradited. Emphasising that Varanasi is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency, Rai said the government should be even more sensitive in ensuring swift justice here.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress has put forth a set of concrete demands. These include:
- The immediate arrest of all accused involved in the racket.
- A thorough investigation into all bank accounts linked to the case.
- The extradition of the main accused from abroad.
- The demolition of properties allegedly built using illegal funds generated from the racket.
Rai vowed that the party would continue its fight against what he termed a "mafia-friendly" approach, taking the battle from the streets to the legislature. The press conference marks a significant escalation in the opposition's attack on the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over its handling of law and order and alleged selective application of its flagship anti-crime policies.
