National Herald Case: Digvijaya Singh Defends Nehru-Gandhi Family

Indore: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh today alleged that BJP leaders were trying to sully the image of party chief Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi over National Herald case, and claimed they have not drawn any profit from the company.

"The Nehru-Gandhi family has not taken profit of even a single paisa in National Herald case. The way the BJP leaders are intending to sully the image of Sonia and Rahul, in the same way they had tried to defame Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi earlier," Mr Singh told reporters in Indore.

Mr Singh accused the media of presenting the National Herald case in a "wrong way", saying there was no evidence against Ms Sonia Gandhi and Mr Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress general secretary claimed that the assets of National Herald are not owned by private parties, rather they are properties of "public interest".

The Rajya Sabha member denied the charge that Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill was not getting passed in Parliament due to the stalemate created by Congress over the National Herald case.

"If the government makes amendments to the Bill according to our suggestions, it will be passed in Parliament," he said.

Accusing the BJP of making a "U-turn" on the GST Bill, he said, "The previous Congress-led UPA government had brought the GST Bill in 2007. The BJP opposed it till 2014. (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi had himself opposed it many times."

"During the previous UPA government's rule, the BJP had even said that if it comes to power, it will not allow GST Bill to be passed," he said.

Congress has been protesting in Parliament on National Herald issue alleging political vendetta after the Delhi High Court refused to quash summonses to its leaders including party chief Ms Sonia Gandhi and Mr Rahul Gandhi.

The disruption of Parliament proceedings has led to delay in taking up of GST Bill that seeks to bring in a uniform indirect tax regime across the country.