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Anurag Thakur: Gandhis Eyed ₹2,000 Crore Assets Without Investment
Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched a scathing attack on Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, accusing them of attempting to usurp properties worth ₹2,000 crore without spending a single rupee. The charge, centered around the National Herald case, comes as the BJP ramps up its political offensive against the Congress ahead of the general elections.
Thakur alleged that the mother-son duo had used their political influence to gain control of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), which owned valuable real estate across India, all under the guise of reviving the defunct National Herald newspaper. “They tried to grab ₹2,000 crore worth of assets without investing a single penny. This isn’t journalism; it’s a textbook example of political corruption,” said Thakur.
National Herald Case Back in Spotlight
The National Herald case has been a longstanding point of contention between the BJP and the Congress. The core allegation is that Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are majority stakeholders, acquired AJL’s debts and, with it, control over its properties.
Thakur said the public must question how such large assets — including prime land in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow — were quietly transferred through what he called “a shady paper transaction.” He accused the Gandhis of betraying the public trust by using the legacy of a freedom movement-era newspaper for personal enrichment.
Congress Yet to Issue Response
While Congress leaders have in the past dismissed the case as a politically motivated vendetta, there was no immediate response from the party to Thakur’s fresh allegations. The matter is currently under legal scrutiny, with proceedings ongoing in the courts.
The BJP, however, is using the issue to question the moral authority of the Congress leadership. Thakur challenged the opposition to explain how leaders who claim to fight for democracy could justify actions that appear to undermine public accountability.
Political Heat Intensifies Ahead of Elections
The remarks are clearly timed with an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, as the BJP seeks to portray the Gandhis as beneficiaries of dynastic privilege and opaque financial dealings. Thakur said that if similar transactions were carried out by anyone outside politics, “they would be behind bars, not campaigning for votes.”
The National Herald issue, revived periodically by BJP leaders, continues to serve as a potent symbol in their campaign narrative against the Congress. With the elections nearing, it appears the ruling party is once again leveraging the case to corner its principal rival.
