Key Highlights of Press Conference by BJP MP and Former Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur
National Herald Scam is a New Chapter in Congress’s “Model of Corruption”: Anurag Singh Thakur
Congress Turned National Herald into Its ATM: Anurag Singh Thakur
Why Only Pennies for Reputed Dailies, and Silver for Weekly National Herald?: Anurag Singh Thakur
Investment of ₹50 Lakhs for Control of Assets Worth ₹2000 Crores – Congress’s Unique Corruption Model: Anurag Singh Thakur
The Name ‘National Herald’ Triggers Sensations in Congress Ecosystem: Anurag Singh Thakur
New Delhi, 18 April 2025: BJP MP from Hamirpur and former Union Minister Shri Anurag Thakur addressed a press conference at BJP’s central office, calling the National Herald scam another new chapter in Congress’s “Model of Corruption”. Thakur alleged that Congress-ruled states don’t just donate to National Herald, but fund it through advertisements, even though it is not a regularly published newspaper. He added that instead of waiving loans of 1000 shareholders of AJL, Congress formed a new company with two of its former presidents as shareholders. With an investment of only ₹50 lakhs, a loan of ₹90 crores was waived to take over assets worth ₹2000 crores.
Thakur stated:
“Whenever the name ‘National Herald’ comes up, there is visible discomfort and anxiety within the Congress ecosystem because their leaders were caught red-handed. Since Independence, many scams have been linked to Congress, but the National Herald case is such a model that is hard to digest.”
He explained:
Pandit Nehru launched National Herald in 1938. It didn’t survive over time and in 2008, Congress tried to revive it under a new entity called Young Indian, with 76% shareholding in the hands of one family. Congress gave a loan of ₹50 lakhs to Young Indian with the aim to acquire AJL, which owed Congress ₹90 crores, while owning assets worth ₹2000 crores.
With just ₹50 lakh, Young Indian got control of ₹2000 crore assets, and Congress waived the remaining ₹89.5 crore loan. Thakur questioned:
Can a political party give such a loan? Was any interest charged?
He also questioned whether National Herald, now a weekly newspaper, is even being printed or read. “Some newspapers exist only on paper—unseen, unsold, unread. National Herald is one of them.”
He added:
“Congress-ruled states fund this paper not via donations, but by giving it ads. On what basis are such ads issued? Daily newspapers with editions in multiple districts get mere pennies, but National Herald receives silver coins!”
In Himachal Pradesh, top dailies are given little support, but National Herald gets large sums.
Thakur said:
“The Himachal Pradesh CM has not fulfilled even one of the 10 guarantees like aid to women, DA installments, and government purchases of dung and milk. The government says there’s no money—but they have funds for National Herald ads!”
He cited ED’s charge sheet listing exact dates, amounts, and parties involved, contradicting Congress’s denial.
He alleged:
“This is the Congress Corruption Model—where a weekly newspaper gets more money than dailies, despite irregular publication. National Herald has become an ATM for Congress, with Congress-ruled states depositing taxpayers’ money into it.”
He further stated:
“The assets Congress acquired—be it in Mumbai, Delhi’s Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, or Lucknow—were subsidized by the government for running newspapers. But how are they being used?”
Thakur asked:
- Is rent collected from them, or is it as fake as this fake newspaper?
- Are Congress’s promises, leadership, and even this rent fake?
- Has it become a ‘Cash Recovery Scheme’ for Congress?
- If the paper isn’t printed, seen, or sold—why so many ads?
- The public wants to know when, how much, and which Congress states issued ads to it?
- If Congress truly wanted to waive a loan, why not AJL’s?
Thakur commented:
“Rahul Gandhi used to speak of the ‘Khatakhat Model’; now Congress-ruled states are operating a ‘Broken, Sick, and Helpless Model’. Their promises to citizens remain unfulfilled, while public funds are handed to institutions like National Herald. This corruption model—taking over ₹2000 crore worth of assets for just ₹50 lakh—is truly unique.”
He questioned the legality:
“Can a political party, whether a Section 8 or 25 company, give such a loan?”
He highlighted that instead of waiving AJL’s loan for its 1000 shareholders, Congress formed ‘Young Indian’ with 76% held by just two of its former presidents.
“Two individuals ended up with majority control, and Congress waived their loan. The other two shareholders, Oscar Fernandes and Motilal Vora, who held 12% each, are now deceased.”
He concluded:
“Had the ownership remained with 1000 people, Congress would have had to waive all their loans. Now, the property is in just two names. Despite constant questioning, Congress leaders dodge answers. They claim innocence, but when the trial court summoned them in 2014, they rushed to the High Court and Supreme Court. Both courts upheld the summons. Today, both senior Congress leaders are out on bail in this corruption case. The court decisions of 2016, 2018, and now 2024, all go against them. The ED’s investigation has been deemed valid, and the attached properties expose yet another ‘Model of Corruption’ by Congress.”
