New Delhi: BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged on Thursday that Congress office-bearer Tushar Goyal is the prime accused in Delhi's largest drug bust, involving Rs 5,600 crore worth of narcotics.

Addressing a press conference, Trivedi said, "Tushar Goyal, the head of the RTI cell for the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), is the main accused in the Delhi drug haul."

The BJP Rajya Sabha MP claimed this revelation raises serious concerns about Congress's involvement, questioning whether the seized drugs were connected to the party. "It is becoming evident that not only hatred but now drugs are surfacing in Rahul Gandhi's so-called 'shop of love'. What is Congress's connection to the drugs recovered, and what role does Tushar Goyal play in this nexus?" Trivedi asked, demanding that Rahul Gandhi clarify the party's relationship with Goyal.

Trivedi further speculated on whether the drug money was intended for use in the upcoming Haryana elections and urged Congress, particularly the Hooda family, to explain their alleged connection with Goyal.

During the press conference, Trivedi presented Tushar Goyal's appointment letter, which included the names of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. He also displayed photographs of Goyal with Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and MP Deepender Hooda, claiming that Hooda's number was found on Goyal's phone during the investigation.

Highlighting the government's efforts in combating drug trafficking, Trivedi noted, "Under the UPA regime, drugs worth Rs 768 crore were seized across the country. However, under the BJP government, over Rs 22,000 crore worth of drugs have been confiscated."

On October 2, Delhi Police's Special Cell made the largest drug bust in the city's history, seizing cocaine valued at over Rs 5,600 crore on the international market and arresting four key members of the cartel, including Goyal.

Congress Denies BJP's Claims

The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) issued a statement clarifying that Tushar Goel, the suspected kingpin in a drug bust, had been expelled from the organisation on October 17, 2022, for anti-party activities. This response came shortly after BJP spokesperson and MP Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the Congress of having ties with drug dealers.

In a counterattack, the IYC accused the BJP of attempting to tarnish its reputation and that of Congress leaders to influence the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections on October 5, asserting that Goel has not been affiliated with the organisation since his expulsion.

The IYC dismissed Trivedi's allegations as "baseless and misleading," claiming they were made solely to sway the elections. "Instead of spreading politically motivated stories, the BJP should trust the Delhi Police to conduct a thorough investigation. We urge the authorities to take strict action against those arrested in the alleged drug bust and not allow it to turn into a political ploy," the statement read.

IANS