Gangs of Gandhinagar’ misusing agencies: Congress on National Herald row
The National Herald case has been a longstanding point of contention between the Congress party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The case, which involves allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering, has been a thorn in the side of the Congress leadership, particularly Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. Recently, a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) money laundering case against the Gandhis, dealing a significant blow to the Centre’s efforts to prosecute them.
In response to the court’s decision, the Congress party has come out swinging, alleging that the case was nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to target its leadership. According to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, the court’s decision has exposed the “gangs of Gandhinagar’s misuse of central agencies.” The term “gangs of Gandhinagar” is a clear reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who are both from Gujarat, whose capital is Gandhinagar.
Khera’s statement suggests that the Congress party believes the Centre has been using central agencies such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to harass and intimidate its leaders. This is not the first time that the Congress has made such allegations, but the court’s decision in the National Herald case has given the party fresh ammunition to attack the government.
The National Herald case dates back to 2012, when Subramanian Swamy, a BJP leader, filed a complaint against the Gandhis and others, alleging that they had misused funds meant for the National Herald newspaper to purchase properties worth hundreds of crores. The ED subsequently launched an investigation into the matter, and in 2016, it filed a chargesheet against the accused.
However, the court’s decision to refuse cognisance of the ED’s case has raised questions about the strength of the evidence against the Gandhis. The Congress party has always maintained that the case is a politically motivated witch-hunt, and the court’s decision seems to have vindicated its stance.
The Congress party has been quick to seize on the court’s decision, using it to launch a counterattack against the government. According to Khera, the “gangs of Gandhinagar” have been using central agencies to settle scores with the opposition, and the National Herald case is just one example of this. The party has also alleged that the government has been using agencies such as the ED and the CBI to intimidate and silence its critics.
The BJP, on the other hand, has rejected the Congress party’s allegations, saying that the law is taking its own course. The party has maintained that the National Herald case is a serious matter that involves allegations of financial irregularities and money laundering, and that the ED’s investigation is a legitimate one.
The National Herald case has significant implications for Indian politics, particularly in the context of the ongoing battle between the Congress and the BJP. The case has the potential to damage the reputation of the Congress party and its leadership, and the government will likely continue to pursue it vigorously.
However, the court’s decision to refuse cognisance of the ED’s case has given the Congress party a much-needed boost. The party will likely use the decision to launch a fresh attack on the government, alleging that it is misusing central agencies to target its leaders.
In conclusion, the National Herald case continues to be a major point of contention between the Congress and the BJP. The court’s decision to refuse cognisance of the ED’s case has given the Congress party fresh ammunition to attack the government, and the party will likely use it to launch a counterattack against the “gangs of Gandhinagar.” As the battle between the two parties continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how the National Herald case will ultimately play out.
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