NEW DELHI: The ongoing political saga surrounding the National Herald case intensified on Friday, April 18, 2025, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenged Congress leaders, particularly Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to demand a swift trial regarding the corruption allegations against them. This challenge came in the wake of the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) recent charge sheet that targets the Gandhis in a case that has long been a point of contention between the two major political parties in India.
Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, representing the BJP, accused the Congress of misusing public funds by allegedly funnelling money into the National Herald, a weekly publication with limited readership. He called for transparency regarding the advertisement expenditures made by Congress-governed states, which he claims are being used to support the newspaper financially.
Thakur raised eyebrows when he claimed that the Gandhis attempted to acquire National Herald properties valued at approximately Rs 2,000 crore without making any personal investment. The ownership structure of the Young Indian company, which is co-owned by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, was also brought into question. The Gandhis collectively hold a 76 percent stake in Young Indian, which reportedly received a Rs 50 lakh loan from Congress to facilitate the acquisition of Associated Journals Limited, the parent company of National Herald, for Rs 90 crore owed to the opposition party.
"This is the Congress model of corruption. Chief ministers of Congress-ruled states don't provide donations to the National Herald; instead, they funnel money to it through advertisements. On what grounds are these advertisements being given?" Thakur asked, emphasizing the disparity in funding between National Herald and other prominent daily newspapers that struggle to secure similar support.
In a show of strength, the BJP organized a protest near Congress' Akbar Road office, where activists called for Rahul Gandhi's resignation as Leader of Opposition due to his involvement in the corruption case. BJP Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva led the demonstration, stating, "This case involves the undervaluation of property worth Rs 2,000 crore that was devalued to Rs 50 lakh and handed over by the mother to her son." Such statements reflect the BJP's strategy to maintain pressure on the Congress party as the legal proceedings unfold.
In response, Congress leaders have vehemently criticized the BJP's actions, labeling them as politically motivated attacks. Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain accused the BJP of engaging in vindictive politics aimed at tarnishing the image of the Gandhi family. "The way the BJP has been attacking Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi—how they have launched this vendetta, how they are trying to defame them—is blatant. They are bent on discrediting the Congress and the Gandhi family," he stated.
Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel echoed these sentiments, asserting that public sentiment does not support the notion that the Gandhis would misappropriate property. "The people of the country do not believe that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi will grab any property. This is the family that sacrificed two lives for the country. The family that donated all its property for the country," Baghel told ANI, reinforcing the Congress party's narrative of integrity amidst allegations of corruption.
The National Herald case has a long history, with the court first taking cognizance of the matter back on June 26, 2014. The accused, including the Gandhis, challenged this cognizance in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, but the trial has not been stayed. The seriousness of the allegations has only intensified as the case progresses.
Earlier this month, on April 9, the Enforcement Directorate filed a prosecution complaint against the Gandhis and other Congress leaders, including Sam Pitroda, in connection with the alleged money laundering case involving Associated Journals Limited. This has prompted widespread protests from Congress members, who have labeled the situation as a "state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law." The matter is set for further consideration by a special Delhi court on April 25, 2025.
As the political drama unfolds, the stakes are high for both the BJP and Congress. The BJP seeks to solidify its narrative of corruption against the opposition, while Congress aims to rally public support against what it perceives as a politically motivated campaign. With the upcoming court date looming, both parties are preparing for a battle not just in the courtroom but also in the court of public opinion.
The National Herald case serves as a flashpoint in Indian politics, reflecting deeper issues of accountability, governance, and the role of political parties in wielding influence over public resources. As the ED continues its investigation and the court proceedings advance, the implications of this case could resonate far beyond the immediate political landscape, potentially shaping the future of both parties in the run-up to the next elections.
