Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 19: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday hit out at the Enforcement Directorate (ED), calling the inclusion of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald charge sheet a "deep conspiracy" driven by political motives.
Speaking at a meeting with AICC general secretaries, state in-charges, and heads of party wings, Kharge accused the BJP-led central government of orchestrating a campaign of harassment against key Congress figures.
“This is a targeted move. Just days after properties related to the National Herald were seized in Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai, the ED has now dragged Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi into the charge sheet. But we’re not intimidated,” Kharge declared.
He highlighted that 'Young Indian', the entity at the centre of the probe, is a not-for-profit company. “This means no shares or profits of AJL (Associated Journals Ltd) can be transferred or taken. Yet, BJP continues to spread false narratives,” he said, urging party workers to counter the misinformation.
Kharge also raised questions about the timing of the ED's action. “Is it a coincidence that this happened right after our AICC meeting in Ahmedabad? The same tactic was used when we met in Raipur—ED and CBI raids followed. But we didn’t back down then, and we won’t now.”
Recalling previous crackdowns on the party, he pointed out how the Congress’s accounts were frozen ahead of the last Lok Sabha elections. “Still, the people responded by doubling our strength in Parliament. This battle is far from over,” he added.
Kharge also took aim at the government’s controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill. “We mobilised the opposition against it. The ‘Waqf by user’ clause is especially dangerous—it’s designed to create confusion. Thankfully, the Supreme Court is now looking into it,” he said.
Confident of both legal and moral ground, Kharge said Congress will expose the BJP's “vendetta politics.” He urged party leaders to stay focused on national issues and follow through on the resolutions adopted in Ahmedabad.
“We must stay united, coordinated, and committed to our mission of truth and justice,” he concluded.