Congress Condemns CBI Searches, Also Targets Kejriwal

New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) The Congress on Tuesday condemned the CBI searches at the office of the principal secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying it was yet another example of so-called cooperative federalism under the Narendra Modi government. The party also targeted Kejriwal.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that party leaders had also been targeted by investigative agencies under the present government.

"Never before have so much been accomplished under cooperative federalism," Singhvi said in sarcastic remarks directed at the prime minister, who often speaks about his government fostering cooperative federalism.

Singhvi said party leader Shankarsinh Vaghela's residence was raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation during a social function, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's residences were searched during his daughter's marriage ceremony, and there had been "an invite and disinvite" to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

"The methods adopted to insult constitutional functionaries are not correct," Singhvi said.

The party also targeted Kejriwal and said there was "hypocrisy" in his conduct.

"Chickens are coming home to roost. Kejriwal would demand raids at the drop of hat," Singhvi said.

CBI officials swooped down on Kejriwal's principal secretary Rajendra Kumar's office at the Delhi Secretariat over a 2002 corruption case.