Gangs of Gandhinagar’ misusing agencies: Congress on National Herald row
The National Herald case has been a long-standing issue, with the Congress party and its leadership, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, facing allegations of money laundering and misappropriation of funds. However, in a recent development, 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 target the opposition party’s leadership. The Congress party has now come out strongly against the Centre, alleging that the case was a blatant attempt to misuse central agencies to target its leadership.
According to Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, “The gangs of Gandhinagar’s misuse of central agencies stands exposed today.” The term “Gangs of Gandhinagar” is being used to refer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who are both from Gujarat, with Gandhinagar being the state capital. The Congress party’s assertion is that the Centre is using central agencies such as the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to harass and intimidate its leaders, rather than allowing them to function independently and impartially.
The National Herald case dates back to 2012, when Subramanian Swamy, a BJP leader, filed a complaint alleging that the Gandhis had misappropriated funds from the National Herald newspaper, which was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938. The newspaper was initially published by the Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), a company that was later acquired by a non-profit company called Young Indian, which was controlled by the Gandhis. Swamy alleged that the Gandhis had used their positions to acquire the newspaper’s assets and properties, worth hundreds of crores, for a mere Rs 50 lakh.
The ED subsequently launched an investigation into the matter, and in 2015, the agency filed a chargesheet against the Gandhis, accusing them of money laundering and misappropriation of funds. However, the court has now refused to take cognisance of the ED’s case, citing lack of evidence and irregularities in the investigation.
The Congress party has welcomed the court’s decision, saying that it vindicates their stand that the case was a politically motivated attempt to target their leadership. “The court’s decision is a clear indication that the ED’s case was based on false and fabricated charges,” said Khera. “The Centre’s attempt to misuse central agencies to settle political scores has been exposed, and we demand that the government stop using these agencies to harass and intimidate our leaders.”
The BJP, on the other hand, has accused the Congress party of trying to politicise the issue and avoid accountability. “The Congress party is trying to distract attention from the real issue, which is the misappropriation of funds by the Gandhis,” said a BJP spokesperson. “The ED’s investigation was based on credible evidence, and we will continue to pursue the case to its logical conclusion.”
The National Herald case has significant implications for Indian politics, as it highlights the ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party. The case has also raised questions about the independence and impartiality of central agencies, and the extent to which they can be used as tools to settle political scores.
As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Centre will respond to the court’s decision and whether the Congress party will be able to successfully defend its leadership against the allegations. One thing is certain, however – the “Gangs of Gandhinagar” will continue to be a focal point of controversy and debate in Indian politics.
In conclusion, the National Herald case is a complex and multifaceted issue that has significant implications for Indian politics. The Congress party’s allegations of misuse of central agencies by the “Gangs of Gandhinagar” have sparked a heated debate about the independence and impartiality of these agencies. As the case continues to unfold, it is essential to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that central agencies are allowed to function independently and impartially.
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