A day after Assam Police registered a case against him for allegedly provoking the crowd, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday dared Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to file “as many cases as he wants,” asserting that he will not be intimidated.
“I don’t know from where he (Himanta) got the idea that he can scare Rahul Gandhi. File as many cases as you want against me, I am not afraid. I am not afraid of the BJP or the RSS. If you have filed 25 cases against me, file 25 more. Be happy,” the Congress leader said during a public meeting at Barpeta as part of his ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Addressing the recent FIR registered by Guwahati Police on January 23, Rahul Gandhi explained, “Earlier I gave a speech against (Gautam) Adani. He is a special friend of PM Modi. A case was registered against me and disqualified me from the Parliament; they took away my house.”
“When they came to take the keys to my house, it was their house and I do not want it. I reside in the hearts of every Indian. I have lakhs of homes in Assam, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh,” he added.
On Saturday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the registration of an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, along with other Congress members, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The charges included wanton acts of violence, provocation, damage to public property, and assault on police personnel.
Sarma had claimed that Rahul Gandhi attempted to enter Guwahati with around 3000 people and 200 vehicles, leading to clashes between Congress workers and the police in the Khanapara area. The Assam Chief Minister accused the Congress leader of provoking the crowd and engaging in violent acts.
