Last 8 years will be seen as dark chapter of democracy: Gehlot

New Delhi, June 15 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said the last eight years will be seen as a ‘dark chapter’ in the history of independent India, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make an appeal for peace amid rising communal tension.
On Wednesday, restrictions in Central Delhi continued with several roads being barricaded. All entries to Congress headquarters at Akbar Road remained under heavy police presence and only selected people were allowed entry.
“Last eight years will be called a ‘dark chapter’ of Indian democracy. There is tension in every lane. We are seeing people raising slogans, whether Hindu or Muslim,” Gehlot said at a press conference.
“Opposition parties have demanded that the PM should appeal for peace in the country. 13 parties have made this demand. Yesterday I requested again, people are scared, there is communal tension everywhere. Why is he hesitating?” he said.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said they were not even allowed to bring their staff to the Congress office on Wednesday.
“Such situation has not arisen before.
“BJP’s nationalism is an ‘imported nationalism’ which says crush those who express dissent. You can see how the Center is misusing central agencies,” Baghel said.
Party General Secretary Mukul Wasnik mention how the Chhattisgarh CM, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, he and others were stopped on their way to meet detained party leaders in Badarpur area of Delhi.
“We will not break law, but if you deny our constitutional right we will continue our Gandhian protest,” he said.
On Wednesday, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to appear for the third consecutive day for questioning at the Enforcement Directorate. Congress has maintained the case is politically motivated and called it ‘political vendetta’.