'BJP gave Rs 2.92 crore ads to RSS-linked outlets with no presence in Himachal': CM's media advisor Naresh Chauhan

NEW DELHI: A political controversy has erupted over government advertising practices, with Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's principal media advisor Naresh Chauhan alleging that the previous BJP government issued advertisements worth Rs 2.92 crore to RSS-affiliated publications with no state presence, while defending the current Congress government's decision to allocate Rs 2.34 crore in ads to National Herald newspaper.
Chauhan strongly countered BJP's accusations of misusing public funds by revealing details of the previous government's advertising spending.
"The BJP is presenting incorrect data. The opposition is misleading the public. In its time, the Jairam Thakur government gave advertisements to organisations like Organiser, Panchjanya, Deep Kamal Sandesh, ABVP Shimla Magazine, Tarun Bharat magazine, Nagpur, Matravandana, Chhatra Udghosh, and Bharat Prakashan, Delhi. These ads, worth Rs 2.92 crore in total, were issued even though these publications have no existence in Himachal," chauhan said.
Chauhan defended the National Herald newspaper and explained its historical significance.
"National Herald is a weekly paper since 1938 before independence. The way in which our national leaders are being chargesheeted through ED is a political vendetta. In the National Herald, there was no transaction of money or property. Then, how has the ED entered? Associated Journals Limited used to run the National Herald. The Congress government gave a loan of 90 crores to AJL. The company was under debt, so to finish off the debt, the 'Young Indians' company was created. The company was created under no profit. If both the companies belong to Congress then what problem does the BJP have. Rahul Gandhi has said he is not going to be afraid," chauhan stated.
The controversy intensified when government records revealed National Herald received Rs 2.34 crore in advertisements, though Chauhan now claims the actual amount is Rs 1.01 crore.
Chauhan displayed a copy of National Herald to prove its existence but avoided questions about its circulation numbers in Himachal Pradesh.
In a separate matter, Chauhan commented on the chief secretary's Holi party expenses being paid from government funds.
"It is my personal view that the chief secretary should have paid for the Holi party out of his own pocket," he said, while noting that only the chief secretary could clarify what official rules permit.
The advertising practices have become a major point of contention between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP, with both parties trading accusations of financial impropriety.