'He joined BJP because he couldn't bear to go to jail, he called mother and cried'; Rahul Gandhi reveals

MUMBAI: Rahul Gandhi addressed the issue of Congress leaders leaving the party during the concluding function of the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra. In his speech, Rahul Gandhi highlighted instances of alleged misuse of power by the BJP.

‘We are grappling with power. But what exactly is power? The essence of authority now resides within EVMs, the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and the Income Tax Department. A senior leader from the Congress party succumbed to the fear of central agencies and joined the BJP. Later, he confided in Sonia Gandhi and expressed his remorse. He said, 'Sonia ji, I am ashamed to admit this, but I feel powerless against them. I cannot even face the prospect of imprisonment.' He confided in my mother, but I refrain from disclosing his identity," said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul's remarks suggested that he was referring to Ashok Chavan without explicitly naming him. Chavan had been embroiled in cases related to the Adarsh flat scam. Congress leaders had alleged that the white paper presented by the BJP in Parliament hinted at the Adarsh scam, possibly influencing Chavan's decision to join the BJP. Chavan had resigned as chief minister amid allegations of corruption.