Gangs of Gandhinagar’ misusing agencies: Congress on National Herald row
The National Herald case has been a long-standing controversy that has been making headlines in the Indian media for several years. The case involves allegations of financial irregularities and mismanagement of funds by the Gandhi family, specifically Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, in the National Herald newspaper. Recently, a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) money laundering case against the Gandhis, leading to a fresh wave of allegations and counter-allegations between the Congress party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Congress party has been vocal in its criticism of the Centre’s handling of the case, alleging that the BJP is misusing 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 a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who are both from Gujarat and have been accused of using their influence to settle scores with political opponents.
The National Herald case began in 2012, when Subramanian Swamy, a BJP leader, filed a complaint alleging that the Gandhi family had misused funds meant for the National Herald newspaper, which was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938. The complaint alleged that the Gandhis had used the funds to purchase assets and properties, rather than using them for the intended purpose of running the newspaper.
The ED subsequently launched an investigation into the allegations, and in 2015, it filed a chargesheet against the Gandhis, accusing them of money laundering and other financial irregularities. However, the Delhi court’s recent decision to refuse cognisance of the ED’s case has dealt a significant blow to the agency’s efforts to prosecute the Gandhis.
The Congress party has welcomed the court’s decision, saying that it is a vindication of its stance that the case is a politically motivated attempt to target its leadership. According to Khera, the court’s decision has “exposed the BJP’s conspiracy” to misuse central agencies to settle scores with its opponents. The party has also accused the ED of being a “captive agency” that is being used by the BJP to harass and intimidate its opponents.
The BJP, on the other hand, has denied any wrongdoing, saying that the ED is an independent agency that is only doing its job. The party has also accused the Congress of trying to politicize the issue and avoid accountability for its alleged financial irregularities.
The National Herald case has significant implications for Indian politics, as it involves allegations of financial irregularities and misuse of power by the country’s most prominent political family. The case has also highlighted the role of central agencies in investigating allegations of corruption and financial irregularities, and the potential for these agencies to be misused for political purposes.
In recent years, there have been several instances of central agencies being used to investigate opposition leaders and parties, leading to allegations of political vendetta. The Congress party has been a vocal critic of the BJP’s handling of these agencies, accusing the party of using them to silence its opponents and undermine democracy.
The “Gangs of Gandhinagar” reference used by the Congress party is a significant one, as it highlights the perceived influence of PM Modi and Amit Shah in the BJP’s handling of central agencies. Both Modi and Shah have been accused of using their influence to settle scores with political opponents, and the Congress party’s allegations are likely to add fuel to the fire.
In conclusion, the National Herald case is a complex and contentious issue that has significant implications for Indian politics. The Congress party’s allegations of the BJP’s misuse of central agencies are serious ones, and they highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the functioning of these agencies. As the case continues to unfold, it will be important to watch how the BJP and the Congress party respond to the allegations, and how the courts ultimately decide the matter.
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