Stepping up its campaign against the Centre over the removal of Central Bureau of Investigation Director Alok Verma, the Congress announced that it would demonstrate in front of all CBI offices in the country on Friday to press for his reinstatement and seek an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge also shot off an angry four-page letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, objecting to the manner in which Mr. Verma was forced out and accused the Modi government of “snooping” on him.
“In latest development, it is extremely worrying and alarming to find that IB officers are snooping and keeping an eye on officers sent on leave. The whole country watched this on TV today. Snooping and keeping surveillance on Opposition and political opponents have been the very basic nature of this government, but to meddle so blatantly in an ongoing explosive investigation will further erorde the sanctity and trust that our police force and its officers have earned over the past 70 years,” Mr. Kharge said in his letter.
Mr. Kharge shared the letter with the media at a press conference that he addressed with senior party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Rajya Sabha MP Kumar Ketkar. “They have tried to remove the CBI Director in a way that they don’t have the power to do so. If they wanted to remove him or if there were complaints against him [Mr. Verma] then they should called a meeting and then done so,” Mr. Kharge told reporters.
To register its protest, Congress leaders will hold demonstrations across the country. Congress communications chief Randeep Surjewala said senior leaders will take part in protests outside the CBI headquarters in New Delhi while state leaders will lead demonstrations in their respective regions.