National Herald case 'driven' by PM office: Rahul Gandhi

GUWAHATI: Asserting that National Herald is a not-for-profit organisation and not a paisa can be taken out, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today alleged that the legal procedure in the case was "driven by the Prime Minister's office".

"It is being driven by the Prime Minister's office," he claimed while responding to reporters' questions whether the National Herald case was an outcome of vendetta politics.

Rahul said, "We have faith in the legal system and we respect it. There is a legal provision. It (National Herald) is a not-for-profit organisation and not a paisa can be taken out."

Asked if he would be applying for bail, he replied, "Let's see what happens on December 19."

A Delhi court on December 8 had directed Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul and others to appear in person on December 19 in the National Herald case.

On Congress protests which resulted in the stalling of proceedings in Parliament, Rahul said, "As far as the stalemate in Parliament is concerned, an impression is being given that we (Congress) are not interested on the GST issue. We have told the government that we have differences with them on three issues."

Confident about the ruling Congress returning to power for the fourth consecutive term in Assam in the 2016 Assembly polls, he said that the party will demonstrate who will win in Assam.

"(Chief Minister) Tarun Gogoi and Congress will win. We have defeated opponents in Bihar," he said.

Asked if the Congress would forge a grand alliance in Assam on the Bihar line, Gandhi said, "Tarun Gogoi and Anjan Dutta (APCC president) are in charge and they will decide."