Cong accuses BJP of fabricating National Herald case to muzzle its voice
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2025: Joint secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Advocate Mathew Antony has accused the BJP of fabricating/cooking up the National Herald case due to its fear of the Congress Party and the Gandhi family and to divert the public's attention from major issues facing the country.

He made the remark during a press briefing held at Congress Bhavan, BT Road, Imphal as part of the country-wide pressers to be held by prominent Congress leaders across 41 States and Union Territories between April 21 and 24 under the banner "Congress Truths, BJP Lies" to address the National Herald case.

The press conference was held in the presence of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president K Meghachandra; Okram Ibobi, former Chief Minister and CLP leader and Hareshwar Goswami, vice president, MPCC.

Cong accuses BJP of fabricating National Herald case to muzzle its voice

Speaking to media persons, Mathew Antony accused the BJP of incessantly raising false allegations against the Congress Party and the Gandhi family and amplifying trivial issues.

Following the historic Gujarat session where Rahul Gandhi exposed the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah unleashed their "extortion machine", the Enforcement Directorate, on AICC chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on false charges of money laundering in the National Herald case, asserted the AICC joint secretary.

Referring to the chargesheet filed by the ED, he termed it unfortunate that charges of money laundering are being made in a case where no transfer of money or assets took place.

Stating that the Modi led BJP Government has turned the ED into its election department, Mathew Antony accused them of misusing the Directorate for political gains.

By targeting the leadership and their families through fabricated and false cases, the BJP Government is trying to muzzle the Congress Party in a direct assault to the idea of democratic opposition, he said.

"The Congress party will continue to face the BJP Government head on.

We will stand firmly for the public and for the truth", said Mathew Antony.

On the occasion, K Meghachandra, president MPCC said that in many parts of the country, Congress Party protested against the use of the ED as a political tool by the BJP Government in the National Herald case.

In Manipur too, the MPCC organised a protest in front of the Enforcement Directorate office at Sangakpham led by CLP leader Okram Ibobi with the participation of many Congress workers.

A few days after the demonstration, the BJP Manipur Pradesh released a statement raising many charges against the Congress Party.

They also criticized the protest as being taken out while the matter is still being heard in the Court, said the MPCC president.

A Delhi Court is hearing the National Herald case.

He further accused some leaders of BJP Manipur Pradesh of making false statements regarding the National Herald case and of allegedly intimidating Congress workers.

Alleging the BJP of engaging in intimidation tactics against Congress and other Opposition parties, he added that many cases have also been filed against the five MLAs of the party.

He added that the party will face the ED chargesheet against the Congress leadership head on.

Since the beginning of the BJP rule in 2014 at the Centre and 2017 in the State, they have made promises during election campaigns to give employment to the youth.

Stating that the BJP has failed to realize any of the agendas listed in their election manifesto, he challenged anyone to bring out an agenda that has been completely fulfilled by the party in Manipur.

If proven wrong, he said he will resign as MLA .

Instead of trying to resolve the issues prevailing in Manipur and bringing development, the BJP is busy laying blame on Congress.

He also condemned the trend of issuing false statements and misleading the public.