National Herald case: In a heated exchange of words, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deploying its agencies strategically, stating that its a desperate move due to the looming threat of defeat in the five poll-bound states.The Enforcement Directorates (ED) recent move to provisionally attach properties worth Rs. 751.9 Crore in the National Herald Case has escalated the political tension.EDs Directive Sparks Political BacklashThe EDs order to attach properties in the money-laundering case, investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 against Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and Young Indian (YI), has become a flashpoint in the ongoing political scenario.Kharges Strong Rebuke: BJPs Election PanicResponding to the EDs actions, Kharge stated, Reports of attachment of AJLs properties by the Enforcement Directorate are a clear indication of the BJPs panic in the ongoing elections. He accused the ruling party of misusing its agencies as it grapples with potential defeats in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram. Kharge expressed confidence that these attempts would fail, affirming the Congress partys commitment to the ideals of the Freedom Movement.Echoes of Nehrus Wisdom: Congress Faith in DemocracyQuoting former Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, Kharge emphasised the newspapers masthead motto, Freedom is in peril, Defend it with all your might. He reiterated the Congress partys resolve to fight for the democratic ideals on which the Indian Republic is founded. Kharge expressed full faith in the wisdom of the Indian people to discern the alleged political manoeuvres.Congress Leaders Decry Shameful Vendetta PoliticsJoining the chorus, Congress leader KC Venugopal Rao denounced the EDs actions as shameful vendetta politics. He questioned the BJPs pursuit of Indias largest opposition party, equating it to an assault on Indian democracy. Venugopal accused the BJP of attempting to tarnish the Congresss reputation, labelling them as the murderers of Indian democracy.Political Retaliation or Genuine InvestigationThe EDs investigation contends that AJL possesses proceeds of crime in the form of immovable properties across cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, amounting to Rs. 661.69 Crore. Young Indian (YI) is alleged to have proceeds of crime worth Rs. 90.21 Crore in the form of equity shares of AJL. The probe initiated after a court order in 2014 has now become a focal point in the ongoing political discourse.(With ANI Inputs)
