National Herald Scandal Heats Up: BJP Dares Congress to Face Fast-Track Trial
BJP Turns Up the Heat on Congress Over National Herald Case
Anurag Thakur Alleges Gandhis Took Over Rs 2,000 Crore in Assets “Without Spending a Rupee”
The political drama around the National Herald case has escalated again, with BJP leader Anurag Thakur launching a scathing attack on the Congress party and the Gandhi family. The BJP continues to target the opposition following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of corruption and misuse of public funds.
BJP Says National Herald Was Congress’ “ATM”
Gandhis Allegedly Acquired Real Estate Worth ₹2,000 Crore for Free
In a fiery press conference, former Union minister Anurag Thakur accused the Congress of treating the National Herald newspaper as a personal ATM. According to Thakur, the Gandhi family took control of properties worth ₹2,000 crore without putting in any personal money.
He explained how Young Indian Pvt. Ltd., a company where Sonia and Rahul Gandhi own 76%, received a ₹50 lakh loan from Congress. This company then took over Associated Journals Limited (AJL)—the publisher of National Herald—which owed Congress ₹90 crore.
“Can a political party even give a loan like that?” Thakur asked, hinting at financial irregularities.
ED Action “Not Political”, Says BJP
BJP Challenges Congress Leaders to Demand Speedy Trials If Innocent
Responding to Congress claims that the ED’s investigation is politically motivated, Thakur threw down the gauntlet:
“If Congress leaders are innocent, why don’t they move court for a quick, time-bound trial? If they have guts, they should do it.”
Thakur insisted that the judiciary has not interfered with the ED’s probe, even though the Gandhis have approached courts several times to quash the proceedings. The only relief they’ve received, he added, is bail.
Congress Governments Accused of Wasting Public Funds
BJP Demands Transparency on National Herald Advertisement Spending
Thakur didn’t stop with just the Gandhis. He criticized Congress-led state governments, especially in his home state Himachal Pradesh, for spending crores on advertising in the National Herald, a newspaper he claims few people even read.
“Does any Congress member even read the National Herald in Himachal?” he asked.
He demanded full disclosure from Congress-ruled states about how much public money was spent on promoting the digital version of the newspaper.
What Is the National Herald Case?
The National Herald case revolves around allegations that Congress party funds were misused to take over AJL’s assets, mainly expensive real estate across Indian cities. The original newspaper, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, was shut down in 2008 due to financial issues. In 2010, Young Indian Pvt. Ltd. was formed and later took control of AJL.
The BJP claims this was a backdoor method for the Gandhis to acquire property assets without paying anything themselves.
Thakur Calls Out “Congress Model of Corruption”
Thakur ridiculed what he called the “Congress model of corruption”, accusing the party of using public money and political influence to enrich a few. He alleged that Congress leaders act like “victims” when caught and make noise to deflect attention.
“In the Congress model, thieves make the most noise,” he remarked, calling the silence within the Congress ecosystem after the ED chargesheet “deafening.”
Political War Ahead of Elections?
This fiery exchange between BJP and Congress over the National Herald case comes at a politically sensitive time, with elections around the corner in several states. The BJP seems keen to keep the issue alive, portraying the Gandhis as symbols of entitlement and misuse of power.
Whether or not this legal and political battle will sway voters remains to be seen, but it’s clear the BJP is making the National Herald case a core corruption narrative against the Congress.
High Stakes and Rising Tensions
As the ED continues its investigation and legal proceedings drag on, the spotlight remains firmly on the Gandhi family. With BJP leaders daring Congress to prove their innocence in court and making repeated references to misused public funds, this case is likely to remain a hot-button issue in Indian politics.
For now, the BJP’s message is clear: the Congress must come clean, face the courts, and stop calling every corruption case a political witch hunt.
