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Bihar Congress Accuses Centre of Political Vendetta Over National Herald Case

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 11:03 GMT by The Hans India
      Locale: INDIA

Bihar Congress Blames the Centre for a “Political Vendetta” in the National Herald Case

The National Herald case—one of India’s longest‑running political scandals—has once again taken centre stage in Bihar politics. In a press conference held in Patna on Sunday, leaders of the state unit of the Indian National Congress (INC) accused the Union government of orchestrating a “political vendetta” against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi. The claim comes amid a series of judicial developments that have left the case far from resolved and has triggered a sharp rhetoric from the BJP‑led opposition.

1. A Brief Overview of the National Herald Case

The National Herald, a daily newspaper founded in 1948 by the INC, is now owned by the party’s National Executive. In 2009, the High Court of Delhi set aside a 12‑year‑old conviction of the former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, on charges of fraud and money laundering. The court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the sale of a National Herald asset, a printing press, and a free‑of‑cost parcel of land. While the CBI was to investigate, the case has remained in judicial limbo for years, largely because the Supreme Court (SC) has repeatedly asked the Central government to provide fresh evidence.

In 2022, the SC granted the CBI permission to file an affidavit, a decision that the Centre later objected to. The Supreme Court’s order was criticised for being “arbitrary” by the opposition, who claim it was a way to undermine the credibility of the National Herald’s owners—Rahul Gandhi, who is the party’s working president, and his wife Sonia Gandhi.

2. The Bihar Congress’s Statement

At the Patna press conference, Bihar Congress leaders pointed to the Supreme Court’s refusal to allow the CBI to submit its final report as evidence of political interference. They argued that the court’s decision was “informed by the political motives of the ruling party” and that the Centre was actively protecting the Gandhi family.

Key points raised by the Bihar Congress:

The Bihar Congress spokesperson, whose identity was not disclosed, called for a “transparent, impartial” probe by the CBI and a “special court” to expedite the proceedings. The spokesperson said, “The political vendetta against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi has reached its boiling point. The Centre’s attempt to create political chaos in Bihar through this case must be stopped.”

3. The Centre’s Position

In a statement released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Union government reiterated that it has no role in the CBI’s investigations. The ministry’s statement emphasised that the Supreme Court had ruled that the CBI was the only agency authorised to investigate the case and that the Centre could not intervene.

“The Centre is not involved in any political vendetta against the Gandhi family. We will keep providing the necessary support to the CBI in order to conclude this case as soon as possible,” the statement read. It further added that the case had been under “scrutinised by several courts for a decade” and that the SC’s latest decision was “an attempt to maintain the balance of the judicial process.”

4. Reactions from Other Political Actors

• BJP’s Response: Ahead of the Bihar Congress meeting, the party’s national spokesperson, Sushil Kumar Jha, called the opposition’s statements “baseless.” Jha said the BJP had always supported a fair judicial process and that the National Herald case “has no direct impact on Bihar’s political future.”
• Kashyap’s Critique: The leader of the INC’s Bihar unit, Ashish Kumar, said the case had been “misused by the opposition” and that “the CBI should complete the investigation quickly.”
• Supreme Court’s Dilemma: The Supreme Court, which has been criticised for its handling of the case, remains stuck between ensuring due process and addressing the political tensions it has sparked.

5. The Legal Status of the Case

1. High Court Decision – In 2009, the Delhi High Court dismissed a conviction against Shivraj Singh Chouhan, citing lack of evidence.
2. Supreme Court Intervention – The SC has allowed the CBI to file an affidavit, but has been reluctant to approve a final report.
3. CBI Investigation – The CBI is still in the process of gathering evidence.
4. Pending Verdict – The case’s final verdict is still pending. The Supreme Court has repeatedly asked for fresh evidence to avoid “political vendetta.”

The legal ambiguity around the case has fueled political rhetoric. While some view it as a fight for justice, others see it as a partisan attack.

6. Why the Case Matters to Bihar

The incident has had a significant impact on Bihar’s political dynamics. The state Congress has traditionally been a strong ally of the centre, but the National Herald case has introduced new friction. Several senior INC leaders have expressed that the case has “distracted” the party from its own internal challenges and weakened its organisational strength in the state.

In a region where political allegiances are shifting, the National Herald case may serve as a litmus test for the unity and resilience of the INC. The Bihar Congress’s call for a transparent investigation reflects its attempt to reassert control and signal to the electorate that the party will not allow external forces to dictate its political narrative.

7. A Look Forward

• Potential Judicial Outcome: The Supreme Court might ultimately order a “special court” or a “fast‑track tribunal” to handle the case, which could either expedite justice or further politicise the proceedings.
• Bihar Congress’s Strategies: The state unit may consider aligning itself more closely with the central party or, conversely, might distance itself to retain local credibility.
• National Implications: A final verdict, especially if it implicates or clears Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, could influence the upcoming national elections.
• Media Coverage: The case continues to receive extensive coverage across national and regional media, with various outlets presenting differing narratives.

8. Conclusion

The National Herald case is far from a straightforward legal matter; it has become a battleground where the Indian National Congress and the BJP‑led government clash over questions of political legitimacy, judicial propriety, and state sovereignty. The Bihar Congress’s latest denouncement of the centre’s alleged vendetta underscores the intensity of the political conflict that now envelops a legal case that has spanned decades. As the Supreme Court continues to navigate the intricate maze of evidence and political pressure, the case’s outcome remains uncertain—and its ramifications, profound.