As the Congress launched nationwide protests against the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet in the National Herald case, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad hit back, asserting that while Congress has the democratic right to protest, it has no right to “misappropriate” public property or party funds.
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Prasad defended the ED’s move to name Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as accused in the money laundering case, alleging that the Congress committed financial misconduct through its control of National Herald assets.
“Congress is disturbed and resorting to protests across the country. Yes, they have the right to hold dharnas, but they don’t have the right to loot land and funds,” Prasad said. “The National Herald property was meant for journalism, not for personal gain.”
He detailed the alleged financial irregularities involving Young India Limited—a company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi reportedly own a majority stake—and Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which publishes the now-defunct National Herald newspaper.
“In 2008, National Herald stopped publishing. Then the Congress gave ₹90 crore to AJL. A political party is not allowed to transfer its funds to a private entity, and this is clearly prohibited,” he stated. “Young India, supposedly a charitable organization, ended up acquiring prime real estate properties across India, including in Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, and Lucknow. What charity has it done?”
The BJP leader called it a “corporate conspiracy” aimed at regaining control of AJL’s assets for the benefit of the Gandhi family. “This is not a political vendetta. It is a question of law and financial propriety,” he said.
The ED filed the chargesheet on Tuesday under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), accusing the Congress leadership of using Young India to gain control of AJL’s assets.
Meanwhile, the Congress called the move politically motivated and began protesting in front of ED offices and central government institutions across states. Congress leader Udit Raj claimed that a “fake chargesheet” had been created and vowed to take the matter to the public.
The National Herald case, originally filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, continues to be heard in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, with arguments on cognisance scheduled for April 25.
