Unfazed by eight hours of questioning at his residence by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a multi-crore rupees bank fraud by the Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech, Congress treasurer and party chief Sonia Gandhi’s close aide Ahmed Patel put a brave face saying rather than fighting the novel coronavirus pandemic and Chinese incursions, the Narendra Modi government is keener to fight the opposition.
The remarks by the Congress leader came soon after the team of ED left from his residence around 8 p.m. after recording his statement under the Prevention of the Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Speaking to the media outside his residence, Patel said, “Instead of taking action against China, dealing Covid-19 pandemic, they are attacking the opposition. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and (Union Home Minister Amit) Shah’s people came and questioned me and I replied to their questions.”
Later, Patel, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP attacking the BJP government said, “If you were to do an analysis, you will see a clear pattern over the past many years. Every time there is Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha election or the government is facing a crisis, one or more investigative agencies become active on the instructions of one individual.”
Taking a pot shot at the government over the handling of the China-India face-off in Ladakh and dealing with the Covid-19 situation across the country, Patel said, “Unfortunately, this time the Modi government’s failure to manage an economic, health and national security crisis is now so huge, that none of the agencies can help spin the narrative.”
Daring the government, Patel said nonetheless, our conscience is clear. “We have nothing to hide, nor are we afraid to criticize and expose the government’s failures and their past corruption,” he added.
The ED had last year also questioned Patel’s son Faisal Patel and son-in-law and advocate Irfan Siddiqui in connection with the probe.
