Attempt to divert attention from economic crisis: Congress on charge sheet in National Herald case

PTI, NEW DELHI, APRIL 16: The Congress on Wednesday claimed that the ED charge sheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi was an attempt to divert attention from the economic crisis the country was facing and alleged that the National Herald case is nothing but political vendetta in a legal disguise.

Addressing a press conference along with senior leader Abhishek Singhvi, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh alleged that this "politics of vendetta" has been masterminded by two people.

"For the last two days, politics of vendetta, harassment, and intimidation is going on. The Congress leadership, especially Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, have been deliberately targeted," he said. "An effort is being made to divert attention from public issues, foreign policy, and the economic crisis."

Congress leaders criticize the charge sheet in the National Herald case

The masterminds of this "politics of vendetta" are two people. "We will not be silent. We cannot be silenced. Whatever the Prime Minister and Home Minister do, we will not stay silent and we will keep raising these issues of the people," Ramesh stated.

The Congress leader said a fake narrative is being run that there has been a crime or money laundering. He said if there is a crime, it is on the part of those who have masterminded these allegations.

Singhvi said the case is nothing but vendetta in legal disguise. "Selective justice is nothing but political thuggery," he said. Singhvi asked, "Where are the proceeds of the crime? This is the eighth wonder of the world, it is mocking justice, it represents the politics of vendetta," he said, hitting out at the government.

Their remarks come against the backdrop of the Enforcement Directorate filing a charge sheet against Gandhi and Rahul, and others before a special court here in the National Herald case, accusing them of allegedly laundering Rs 988 crore.

The main Opposition party on Wednesday staged a protest outside the All India Congress Committee (AICC), slamming the BJP-led Central government over the ED's charge sheet. Congress workers gathered in large numbers outside AICC headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, shouting slogans of “Sonia Gandhi Zindabad”, “Rahul Gandhi Zindabad”, “Tanashahi Nahi Chalegi” and “Modi-Shah jawab do.” A heavy police presence and barricading were in place, and several Congress workers, including Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav, were detained.

The protestors, carrying Congress flags and "Darro Mat" and “The whole country is with you” placards, raised slogans like “ED ke dumpe ye sarkaar nahin chalegi” (this government will not run on the crutches of the ED). The demonstration saw participation from party leaders, including MPs, workers, and members of Congress-affiliated organizations such as the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and National Students' Union of India (NSUI).