Union Minister Anurag Thakur has ignited a political storm by accusing Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of gaining control over properties worth ₹2,000 crore without spending a rupee. The charges relate to the long-standing National Herald case, which alleges questionable financial transactions and misuse of political power.

Thakur claimed that the Gandhi family used Young Indian Pvt Ltd—a company in which Sonia and Rahul hold major stakes—to acquire Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald. According to Thakur, this move allowed the Gandhis to become beneficiaries of vast real estate holdings once owned by AJL, without paying market value or making a significant personal investment.

He emphasized the moral implications, questioning whether leaders entrusted with public faith should be involved in deals that seemingly bypass financial transparency. “You cannot hide behind legacy to justify illegality,” Thakur stated, urging law enforcement to expedite the case.

Congress leaders pushed back, calling Thakur’s remarks a “cheap political stunt.” They insist that the deal was within legal bounds and aimed at reviving a historical institution. However, critics argue that reviving a newspaper should not lead to the personal enrichment of political leaders.

The clash has intensified, with BJP using it to further question the ethics of dynastic politics, while Congress defends its legacy as being under political siege by an authoritarian ruling party.