BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj Attacks Congress With "National Herald Ki Loot" Bag

Arriving at the Parliament for discussions on the 'One Nation, One Election', BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj made headlines with her bag displaying "National Herald Ki Loot."

Bansuri Swaraj accused Congress of exploiting media institutions in the scandal surrounding the National Herald, labeling it an unprecedented corruption within the fourth pillar of democracy. Highlighting the Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet, she asserted it revealed the Congress party's alleged manipulation of public-serving institutions for personal benefit.

Swaraj argued that this practice of turning public trusts into private assets, under the pretext of serving the community, called for a serious accountability of the Congress leadership.

The National Herald case traces back to the newspaper founded in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru and other freedom fighters, intended as a voice for the liberal views within the Indian National Congress.

Managed by Associated Journals Limited, it became an important platform for the Congress post-Independence, including Hindi and Urdu editions. However, financial troubles led to its shutdown in 2008, with debts mounting over Rs 90 crore. The case took a controversial turn in 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy accused Congress leaders of fraud and breach of trust in acquiring Associated Journals Limited, alleging a malicious takeover by Young Indian Ltd.

In a recent development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has charged Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, among others, with laundering Rs 988 crore.