CBI crisis: Led by Rahul, Opposition hits streets; opposition unity becomes reality

In what can be termed as the beginning of a new political age of the Congress party, one marked by an aggressive-street politics and assertive narrative-building, its president Rahul Gandhi led a massive street demonstration on Friday over the overnight removal of CBI chief Alok Verma by the Modi government.

Joined by Opposition leaders such as All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Nadimul Haque and the Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja, Rahul -- after a brief but fiery speech in front of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters where his convoy was stopped by Delhi police -- courted arrest in Lodhi road police station.

Rahul reached the CBI headquarters in Delhi and addressed a small but aggressive political gathering. Then, he marched towards the police station, which is in the close vicinity of the CBI headquarters near Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

Addressing an upbeat crowd, Rahul pinpointedly attacked Prime Minister Modi over and over, stating, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is finishing every institution of the country because he wants to hide the corruption in the Rafale deal. He is attacking the CBI, Election Commission and other institutions. Chowkidar chor hai (Watchman is a thief).”

Although the BJP downplayed the show of unity among the Opposition parties by saying that the Congress party is left with no issue but the CBI, political watchers feel that the Congress president has been successful in sending out a message.

“The show of unity among Opposition parties on the issue of CBI’s worst credibility crisis is important, but their coming under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi bears more symbolic importance,” said an observer, adding, “In the wake of the general election and election for five assemblies, the Rafale issue will have an impact on the outcome.”

Demanding “reinstatement” of the removed CBI Director Alok Verma, Rahul dubbed Modi as a chowkidar who turned out to be a “thief.”

“The Congress party will not allow the chowkidar to commit this theft. The opposition parties will not allow the chowkidar to commit the theft,” Gandhi said, amidst frenzied slogan shouting by party supporters.

“Prime Minister had benefited a businessman to the tune of ₹ 30,000 crore through this deal,” reiterated the Congress President.

“The Prime Minister can run, but cannot hide from truth. The truth will come out. The Prime Minister acted out of fear and panic (on the issue). The Prime Minister cannot give a rupee in waiver for farmers. Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi all fled. Anil Ambani will also flee. The reality is that the Prime Minister has indulged in corruption. Chowkidhar chor hai,” he roared.

Observers feel that Rahul is applying the age-old method to target his political opponents – repeat, repeat and repeat till it becomes a permanent part of the mass memory. Standing atop a truck, when Gandhi shouted, “chowkidhar chor hai,” the crowd roared with the double strength as it repeated the slogan in unison.

It is important to recall here that in a dramatic midnight action, the Modi government on Tuesday divested CBI chief Verma of his charge and made Joint Director M. Nageshwar Rao the interim director.

However, the government’s decision has been challenged in the Supreme Court, with Congress party and the Opposition reacting sharply to the Modi government’s arbitrary decision. Calling it “illegal and unconstitutional,” opposition parties went on to say that the Modi government is using the CBI towards its political gains.

Rahul’s decision to lead the protest at the CBI headquarters is an extension of what the Congress party thinks, said an observer. By hitting the street, Rahul and the whole Opposition has clearly indicated that the Rafale Deal is on top of the agenda in the upcoming state elections, and more importantly, the Lok Sabha polls next year.