Congress steps up attack on BJP over CBI director ouster

The Congress on Saturday stepped up its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), accusing them of hatching a “nefarious conspiracy” to divest CBI director Alok Verma of his duties, fearing probe into the Rafale deal.

The Opposition also attacked the Prime Minister’s Office, CVC KV Chowdary and the department of personnel and training (DoPT) for removing Verma from his office at midnight.

“Midnight intrigue, sinister plot and nefarious conspiracy of a collusive subterfuge between the Modi government and CVC has now been unravelled,” Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

“Chowdary was set to go to Denmark on October 23. But he cancelled his trip just to hold a meeting and issue the order against Verma,” he alleged.

Addressing media, Surjewala said around 11 pm Tuesday, CBI joint director M Nageswara Rao was informed to reach the agency’s headquarters anticipating the CVC’s order. “...Delhi Police commissioner alerted his subordinates... They were asked to reach Khan Market, a few km away from the CBI headquarters. And then at midnight, the commissioner told his team that the Delhi Police would take over the CBI headquarters,” he claimed.

Surjewala claimed that by the time Delhi Police was taking over the CBI headquarters, Chowdary was writing his order. “Only PM can answer these questions. People are demanding answers for this conspiracy,” Surjewala said.