In a sharp rebuttal to the Congress party’s accusations of political vendetta, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leader and Member of Parliament Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday dismissed the claims as baseless, asserting that the legal proceedings in the National Herald case are progressing strictly in accordance with the law. His remarks came amid growing political tensions and widespread protests organized by the Congress following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Prasad said, “Sonia ji and Rahul Gandhi are out on bail. They approached both the High Court and the Supreme Court to get the entire proceedings quashed but did not receive any relief. The only concession they have obtained is an exemption from personal appearance in court. This matter has been going on for nearly four years, and so far, they have failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. The law is simply taking its own course, and yet they are labelling it political vendetta.”

His statement came hours after the Congress party launched a coordinated national-level protest campaign against what it termed the “Modi government’s politics of vendetta and intimidation.” Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal issued a letter to all Pradesh Congress Committees, urging senior leaders, elected representatives, party workers, and frontal organizations to organize peaceful protests across the country in response to what he described as an orchestrated legal attack on the Gandhis.

The controversy centers around the long-running National Herald case, in which the Gandhis and other senior Congress leaders are accused of alleged financial irregularities and money laundering. The case involves the transfer of properties and assets owned by the now-defunct newspaper, The National Herald, originally established by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The newspaper was run by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), and the financial dealings related to its takeover by Young Indian Pvt. Ltd.—a company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are major stakeholders—form the crux of the investigation.

The Enforcement Directorate recently filed a chargesheet in connection with the case, formally naming Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others as accused. This marks the first time that the ED has filed a chargesheet implicating the Congress high command in the matter. The charges have been brought under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), specifically under Section 4, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years of imprisonment.

The ED’s action has reignited political tempers, with the Congress party accusing the Modi-led government of using investigative agencies as tools to target political opponents. Addressing a press conference in Delhi, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “This is not just a legal matter. It is a politically motivated attack. The ruling party is misusing government agencies to tarnish the reputation of our top leaders. The National Herald case is a textbook example of selective prosecution aimed at silencing the opposition.”

Congress workers took to the streets in various parts of the country following the announcement of the chargesheet. Demonstrations were reported outside ED offices, district collectorates, and major public squares in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and several other cities. In many locations, party workers were detained as police attempted to maintain public order.

However, the BJP has dismissed these allegations as political theatre. Ravi Shankar Prasad emphasized that the legal proceedings have been monitored by the judiciary at every level, and the fact that no court has quashed the case so far is proof that the accusations are not without substance.

“Just because you are powerful political leaders doesn’t mean you are above the law,” Prasad added. “This case has a legal foundation, and the judiciary has refused to interfere with the proceedings. Calling this vendetta is an insult to the legal system and a diversionary tactic.”

Legal experts have noted that the ED’s decision to press charges under the PMLA indicates the agency’s confidence in the evidence gathered so far. Sources suggest that the chargesheet is detailed and backed by extensive documentation, including financial transactions, company records, and witness statements.

Despite the legal heat, the Congress party appears determined to mount a political and public relations counter-offensive. “We will fight this battle both legally and politically,” KC Venugopal stated in his letter. “This is an assault on democracy and an attempt to silence voices that dare to speak against the government. We will not be intimidated.”

The National Herald case has been a point of contention between the two major political parties for years. First brought to prominence by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in 2012, the case has since evolved into a high-profile legal saga involving some of India’s most influential political figures. Over the years, various legal challenges have been mounted by the accused to quash the case, but none have succeeded.

As the 2024 general elections inch closer, the intensification of legal action against top Congress leaders is expected to play a significant role in shaping political narratives. For the BJP, the developments offer an opportunity to reinforce its anti-corruption stance, while for the Congress, it provides a rallying point to galvanize its cadre and position itself as a victim of authoritarianism.

Whether the legal process will reach a decisive conclusion before the election season picks up momentum remains to be seen. But for now, the chargesheet in the National Herald case has added yet another layer of tension to an already polarized political landscape.