Gujarat BJP Claims Congress is Playing the ‘Victim Card’ in National Herald Investigation
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Synopsis
Gujarat BJP Vice President Gordhan Zadafia criticizes Congress for eluding accountability in the National Herald case, claiming the party is attempting to present itself as a victim while serious allegations of financial misconduct linger.
Key Takeaways
- Congress accused of dodging accountability in National Herald case.
- Investigation ongoing for nearly four years.
- Claims of financial misconduct by Young Indian.
- Congress urged to cooperate with legal processes.
- Next court hearing scheduled for April 25.
Gandhinagar, April 16 (NationPress) The Gujarat BJP Vice President Gordhan Zadafia accused the Congress of avoiding responsibility despite almost four years of investigation into the National Herald case and asserted that the party is trying to portray itself as a victim.
“The Congress party is attempting to play the victim card instead of providing a satisfactory explanation to the investigating agency. This case, which started in 2011-12, raises serious questions regarding ownership, financial transactions, and the exploitation of public trust,” Zadafia stated during a press conference with BJP’s state media convener Yagnesh Dave and spokespersons Shraddhaben Rajput, Jayrajsinh Parmar, and Zubin Ashra.
Zadafia remarked that the National Herald was initially founded to support India's freedom movement, but it became embroiled in controversy when its assets, valued between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 crore, were allegedly acquired for merely Rs 50 lakh by Young Indian, a newly established entity.
“The company was registered with just Rs 5 lakh, and 76% of its shares were owned by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. The remaining 24% were held by Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes,” he alleged.
Zadafia claimed that if Congress genuinely aimed to settle the debts of National Herald in good faith, they could have easily sold off some of the newspaper’s assets.
“Instead, they funneled ownership through a non-profit and seized the properties. If Young Indian is indeed an NGO, how did it acquire assets worth thousands of crores?” he questioned.
The BJP leader also highlighted that the ED's investigations, initiated based on complaints and documents from Subramanian Swamy, have been legally pursued since 2021.
He noted that in 2010, Young Indian supposedly bought 9 crore shares at Rs 10 each, gaining control of 99% of Associated Journals Ltd., which owns the National Herald.
“In 2008, the newspaper shut down, but rather than reviving it transparently or selling assets to settle liabilities, Congress established a shell company and claimed ownership through its leaders,” Zadafia alleged.
He criticized Congress for protesting instead of cooperating with legal processes, pointing out that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are currently out on bail and urged them to submit evidence in court if they are truly innocent.
“This isn’t about vendetta politics. The BJP is not involved in the pace of court proceedings or charge-sheet filings,” he clarified.
Zadafia emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government upholds the rule of law and called upon Congress to do the same.
He also announced that the next court hearing is set for April 25, and any delays are due to procedural matters, not political influence.
Zadafia stated that Congress cannot evade scrutiny by staging protests.
“They must answer in court, which is where this matter rightly belongs,” he concluded.
