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Fearing Arrest In National Herald Case, Has Rahul Gandhi Given Up Hope of Congress’ Revival?

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Beleaguered by the Enforcement Directorate probe into the National Herald saga, Congress has begun to show a lot of nervousness and aggressiveness.

This cannot be explained away by its leaders suddenly as just a public display of their outrage over the price rise issue.
The summoning and grilling of Sonia Gandhi by the ED, which followed a similar session for Rahul Gandhi, has deeply upset the Congress first family.

In fact, there is apprehension by their legal advisers that they may be arrested anytime by the ED because the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) envisage such a process.

Of course, Rahul is trying to project that he does not care a hoot about the final outcome of the investigation.

But, the rank and file believe that the Sonia Gandhi family is indeed worried by the pace of the probe and their inability to fend off the queries from the investigators.

Therefore, the newfound aggression of the Congress leaders and their supporters on the streets of Central Delhi is in the name of protest against the price rise issue. The Congress insiders admit, however, that they are following the instructions from the family, which sees the turn of events connected with the ED beyond their expectations.

They say the Gandhi family had thought that the ED probe would only be a formality and the Modi government would dare not to touch them. But the wheels of time are turning much faster.

In this context, Rahul Gandhi’s outburst over the inability of the Congress on the electoral front has only rendered the cadres flummoxed further.

His declaration that “give me the entire system, then I will also show you how to win elections” has not gone down well with them. His statement is seen as an open admission that Rahul does not see any ray of hope for his party though his strategists are splitting hairs on its revival.

By his admission, Rahul does not think that he can do anything to make the Congress win the elections– whether it is in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat this year and also key ones in Telangana and even Karnataka where regional leaders are much more hopeful.

On August 5, a bitter Rahul again compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to German dictator and Nazi Party chief Adolf Hitler for winning elections by controlling the entire system. “Hitler too came to power winning elections, he too used to win elections,” he said.

“How do you think Hitler won the elections? It was because he had control of all of the institutions in Germany…he also had paramilitary forces. Give me the entire system, then I will also show you how to win elections,” argued Rahul.

Rahul made the remarks at a press conference sitting alongside Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, ahead of the Congress’ nationwide protest against inflation and unemployment. Later, the Congress arrived at the Parliament House wearing black clothes in protest.

Does Rahul really believe that Modi-led BJP wins elections one after another because it “controls the system”?

If so, did he also think that Congress won previous elections under his mother or even earlier under his father Rajiv Gandhi and grandmother Indira Gandhi because they had “controlled” the system?

Why is the ED probe into the National Herald case disturbing the Gandhi family so much? Can Congress defend the role of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi by merely accusing the ED of acting out of “political vendetta”?

The case involves the Associated Journals Limited properties being passed on to Young Indian, a firm owned by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. The National Herald newspaper, launched by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938, was run by this firm. From 1999 to 2008, the publications of the newspaper ceased due to heavy losses.

During the UPA regime, Congress decided to revive it. How? Congress gave a Rs 90 crore loan to AJL, which the latter could not repay. The company then sold all its shares to Young Indian Company in lieu of Rs 50 lakhs, which was also obtained in a questionable way. Finally, Young Indian became the owner of more than Rs 3,000 crore worth of properties belonging to AJL.

So far, Gandhis have told the ED questions that it was a transaction between AJL and Young Indian and only late Congress treasurer Motilal Vora knew about the details. Since Motilal Vora passed away in 2020, the details of this transaction are now shrouded in mystery. They have also argued that since Young India (under Section 25 of the Companies Act) is a not-for-profit company, they did not benefit a rupee from it. However, the question then arises: Why did Sonia and Rahul Gandhi float a company if it was not for profit? If it was a not-for-profit company, how is it now the owner of more than Rs 3,000 crore worth of properties in different cities? Experts say, only those who own the shares, will have control over these properties. If the control is with the Young Indian company, and since Sonia and Rahul Gandhi own 76 per cent of its shares, who will benefit?

Of course, there is another take among some political pundits. No matter how much the Congress leaders protest, the ED action is a blessing in disguise if the Gandhis have nothing to fear in the National Herald case.

At least, the episode has put some life in the party organisation to become active in their defence. Sonia Gandhi will remain the face of the party though Rahul and Priyanka will wield all control over the party. By September, Congress has to also settle the issue of who should be the next president. Sonia Gandhi has remained as interim president ever since Rahul resigned from the post disappointed by Modi winning the second term in 2019.

(The author is a senior journalist and a well-known political commentator)

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