New Delhi
Determined to make Rafale a major election issue, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday hit the streets with party workers and managed to get the larger Opposition on board as he again accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of removing CBI chief Alok Verma to scuttle a potential probe into the multi-crore jet deal with France.

“The watchman stole money from the Air Force and the youth and filled the pockets of industrialist Anil Ambani. The country can see that. Removing the CBI chief won’t make any difference. Eventually everyone will know the truth that he benefitted Ambani to the extent of Rs 30,000 crore,” said Gandhi, who courted arrest after leading a protest outside the CBI headquarters against the removal of Verma.

CPI’s D Raja, Loktantrik Janata Dal chief Sharad Yadav and representatives of the TMC and the TDP joined the agitation and were seen flanking Gandhi who spoke to supporters from a truck after the Delhi Police barricaded the area preventing protestors from marching towards the CBI headquarters. Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Ashok Gehlot, Kumari Selja, Anand Sharma, Ashwani Kumar and Deepender Hooda were among others flanking their leader.

Rahul was, however, evasive when asked to comment on today’s outcome of Verma’s plea in the SC which ordered a time-bound CVC probe in the matter. While most Congress leaders projected the development as a victory of sorts, Gandhi was muted in his response. “It’s a SC judgment. That is a procedure that’s carrying on. I do not want to comment on that,” he said, skirting a query on the CBI denying that Alok Verma ever had a Rafale related case file on his table. Irrespective of whether the CBI was going to probe Rafale, Congress chief Gandhi is convinced that the 36 jet deal with France is the only issue that can break the perception of Modi’s incorruptibility, a crucial mission in the poll season.

On the eve of five state polls, the Congress feels linking the removal of CBI chief with his possible inclination to probe Rafale will yield political dividends. Today’s protests are part of Gandhi’s long-term plan to destroy PM’s “image of honesty”.