Gangs of Gandhinagar’ misusing agencies: Congress on National Herald row
The National Herald case has been a topic of controversy for several years, with the Congress party and its leaders being accused of misusing funds and engaging in money laundering. Recently, a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) money laundering case against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, leading to a strong reaction from the Congress party. The party has alleged that the case was a deliberate attempt by the Centre to target its leadership, and has accused the “gangs of Gandhinagar” of misusing central agencies.
The term “gangs of Gandhinagar” is a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who are both from Gujarat, with Gandhinagar being the state capital. The Congress party has been using this term to imply that the two leaders are using their power and influence to target opposition parties and leaders, particularly the Congress. According to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, “The gangs of Gandhinagar’s misuse of central agencies stands exposed today.” This statement suggests that the Congress party believes that the ED’s case against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi was not a genuine attempt to investigate any wrongdoing, but rather a political vendetta.
The National Herald case dates back to 2012, when Subramanian Swamy, a BJP leader, filed a complaint against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, alleging that they had misused funds from the National Herald newspaper to acquire assets worth thousands of crores. The ED launched an investigation into the matter, and in 2015, the agency attached assets worth over Rs 800 crore belonging to the Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which published the National Herald. The Congress party has maintained that the case is a politically motivated attempt to target its leaders, and that there is no evidence of any wrongdoing.
The Delhi court’s decision to refuse cognisance of the ED’s case is a significant setback for the agency, and has been seen as a victory for the Congress party. The court’s order suggests that the ED did not have sufficient evidence to proceed with the case, and that the allegations against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were not substantiated. This decision is likely to embolden the Congress party, which has been facing a series of challenges and setbacks in recent years.
The Congress party’s allegations against the “gangs of Gandhinagar” are not new, and reflect a deeper concern about the misuse of power and influence by the ruling party. The party has long accused the BJP of using central agencies such as the ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Income Tax Department to target opposition leaders and parties. This accusation is not limited to the National Herald case, but extends to other high-profile cases such as the AugustaWestland chopper scam and the Rafale deal.
The “gangs of Gandhinagar” term is also significant because it reflects a growing perception that the BJP is using its power and influence to silence opposition voices and undermine democratic institutions. The term implies that the BJP is using its control over central agencies to settle scores with its political opponents, and to create a sense of fear and intimidation among those who dare to challenge its authority. This perception is not limited to the Congress party, but is shared by many other opposition parties and civil society groups.
In conclusion, the National Herald case has taken a new turn with the Delhi court’s decision to refuse cognisance of the ED’s case against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. The Congress party’s allegations against the “gangs of Gandhinagar” reflect a deeper concern about the misuse of power and influence by the ruling party, and the undermining of democratic institutions. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the BJP will respond to these allegations, and how the Congress party will use this issue to mobilize public opinion and challenge the ruling party.
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