Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 19 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) held a protest in Shimla on Saturday targeting the Congress party over the National Herald case, accusing its leadership of large-scale corruption. The demonstration included the burning of an effigy of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Led by BJYM Himachal Pradesh President Sushil Kadsholi, the protesters raised slogans against the Congress and its leaders, alleging misuse of public funds and manipulation of corporate structures for personal gain.
Kadsholi questioned the legitimacy of the National Herald newspaper’s operations, stating, “The whole issue involves misappropriation of crores of rupees in the name of a newspaper that we have never seen or read in Himachal Pradesh.” He further claimed that despite its absence in the state, the Congress-led government awarded crores in advertising funds to the publication.
Referring to the alleged financial irregularities, Kadsholi said, “A loan of ₹90 crore was transferred to the newly formed Young Indian company, 76% of which was controlled by Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. AJL (Associated Journals Limited), which originally ran National Herald, was acquired for just ₹50 lakh each by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. The loan was then waived off. Can a political party give loans? That is the real question.”
He also slammed the Congress’s defense of the transactions as clean, pointing out that the investigation began in 2012 when the party itself was in power. “If the newspaper was truly functioning, why did Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have to buy it?” he asked.
Kadsholi criticized the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister for allegedly sanctioning ₹2.5 crore in advertisements to National Herald, saying, “Has anyone ever met a journalist from National Herald in Himachal?”
He concluded by asserting that the protest aimed to “raise public awareness” about the case, calling it a symbol of “Congress’s corruption.” Kadsholi also accused the administration of double standards, claiming police attempted to stop their protest but did not act similarly when effigies of the Prime Minister were previously burned.
“The police should act fairly if they want to protect their image. We are not seeing this under the current government,” he said, expressing dissatisfaction with the state’s response. (ANI)
About The Author
