National Herald case: Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi eyed Rs 2000 crore properties without investing a penny, says BJP

NEW DELHI: The BJP challenged Congress leaders facing corruption allegations to request swift, time-bound case resolutions on Friday, whilst criticising their claims of political motivation behind the ED's investigation of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald matter.
The governing BJP maintained pressure on the opposition following the ED's chargesheet against the Gandhis, and criticised Congress-led state chief ministers for channelling public funds through advertisements into the weekly publication, which had limited readership.
Former Union minister Anurag Thakur claimed the Congress utilised the newspaper as a cash source, stating that the Gandhis attempted to acquire National Herald properties valued at Rs 2,000 crores without personal investment.
The Gandhis collectively held 76 per cent ownership of Young Indian company, which received a Rs 50 lakh loan from Congress, according to Thakur.
He explained that the company subsequently acquired Associated Journals Limited, which owns the Congress-affiliated newspaper, against Rs 90 crore owed to the opposition party.
Thakur raised questions about the legitimacy of a political party providing loans.
Responding to allegations of politically motivated ED actions, the BJP representative challenged Congress leaders facing corruption charges to approach courts for expedited, time-bound trials in their respective cases.
"If they have guts, they should do it," he said, adding that in the "Congress model of corruption" the thieves make a lot of noises.
The National Herald case has left the Congress establishment speechless and unable to respond effectively.
The Gandhis have repeatedly sought legal intervention to dismiss proceedings against them since a lower court acknowledged the matter prior to the Modi administration taking office.
The courts provided no respite to them beyond granting bail, whilst maintaining a hands-off approach towards the Enforcement Directorate's investigation.
Regarding his native Himachal Pradesh, where Congress holds power, Thakur criticised the party for failing to deliver on its ten primary commitments whilst allocating substantial funds for advertisements in the National Herald.
"Does any Congress leader or member read it in Himachal," he asked, demanding that people should be given details of money spent by different Congress governments in advertisements in the newspaper, which is available digitally.
The Congress has been holding protests across various parts of the country in response to the ED’s action.