Congress President accuses Modi government of using ED, CBI for political gains; says party leaders named in National Herald case as part of a “deliberate plan” to discredit opposition.
New Delhi, April 20: In a scathing attack on the Modi government, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday claimed that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were named in the National Herald charge sheet as part of a “vendetta-driven conspiracy” aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the general elections.
Addressing a key meeting of party general secretaries, state in-charges, and heads of frontal organisations, Kharge alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was deliberately using investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to intimidate and malign Congress leaders.
🏛️ National Herald Case: “Not-for-Profit, No Grounds for Charges”
Reiterating the Congress’s stance on the National Herald case, Kharge said that Young Indian, the entity linked to the Gandhis, is a not-for-profit company, and neither profits from Associated Journals Limited (AJL) nor its properties can be transferred or claimed for personal gain.
“The BJP is spreading lies about the case. It’s our responsibility to explain the truth to the people and expose their false propaganda,” Kharge said.
⚖️ SC Intervention on Waqf Amendment Act
Kharge welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to take note of the objections raised by Congress and other opposition parties regarding the Waqf Amendment Act, expressing hope that “justice will prevail.”
He urged party leaders to counter BJP’s narrative and clarify the misinformation surrounding the Act.
⚠️ Pattern of Targeting Around Key Party Events
Kharge also highlighted what he termed a pattern of political harassment, noting that:
- The ED action to attach National Herald properties in Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai coincided with the AICC session in Ahmedabad
- During the Raipur session, the CBI and ED conducted raids on party leaders
- Congress bank accounts were frozen ahead of the general elections
“Despite all this, Congress emerged stronger and doubled its strength in Parliament,” he asserted.
🧭 Internal Party Strengthening
Kharge also emphasized the empowerment of district-level Congress leadership, pointing to resolutions passed at the AICC session. He called on senior leaders to raise pressing national issues and ensure grassroots mobilisation.
🧑🤝🧑 Leaders Present
The meeting was attended by top Congress figures, including:
- KC Venugopal (General Secretary – Organisation)
- Ajay Maken (Treasurer)
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
- Jairam Ramesh (General Secretary – Communications)
- And other senior leaders