Rahul Gandhi's efforts to revive National Herald praiseworthy: Ashok Gehlot

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi's endeavour to revive the National Herald is a "unique and praiseworthy" attempt for the cause of promoting free and fair journalism, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said and accused BJP of launching a malicious campaign on the issue.

In a statement, Gehlot alleged that by slapping "false" cases against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora and other Congress leaders "on the direction of PMO", the Government is trying to divert public attention from its "failures."

Rahul Gandhi's effort on the issue is also aimed at protecting and preserving Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy to the country which the BJP leadership in "not able to digest", he said.

"If not Congress then who else will preserve Nehru's legacy for the future generation? Certainly, it is not the BJP," he said.

Besides, he said such attempts on the part of the BJP Government should be seen in continuation with their agenda of 'Congress Mukt Bharat' and a total disregard for Nehru, the architect of modern India.

He said that the National Herald was launched by Nehru to take on the British in a language they understood and to make them realise the people's anger and disgruntlement against its rule.

As a matter of fact, this newspaper had played a significant role in India's freedom struggle since 1938.

He claimed that the Young Indian Company was formed in the interest of the country to keep alive the National Herald, which is a legacy of our Independence movement.

"The statements being made by the BJP leaders in the case of National Herald are part of a malicious campaign aimed at misleading the public as neither financial transaction nor any act of criminality took place in the entire matter," he added.