A day after the Delhi High Court dismissed pleas filed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia against reopening tax assessment cases in relation to the National Herald newspaper, the BJP alleged that Rahul and his party were running away from the Tax department after committing a “National Hera-feri” of tax payers’ money.

Rahul Gandhi needs to answer many questions, Union Textile Minister Smiriti Irani said at a press conference here.

“Why is it that Rahul Gandhi, who is too quick to hug the Prime Minister, would run a mile when it comes to an Income Tax officer,” Irani asked, referring to the Congress president hugging Modi in the Lok Sabha during the no-confidence debate in July.

She accused Rahul  of setting up a not-for-profit company, Young Indians, which then bought a commercial company, Associated Journals Ltd, and its debts worth Rs 90 crore for Rs 50 lakh.

“Rahul Gandhi set up a company in 2011, professing it will not indulge in profit-loss business. Young Indian bought Associated Journals, which is commercial,” she said, questioning the deal. 

 Associated Journals Ltd, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, publishes three newspapers, including the National Herald.

 After buying the loan of Associated Journals, Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sonia Gandhi become owners of a company, Irani claimed.

The BJP alleged that the family used Congress funds to pay its debts even though the publisher has real estate assets worth thousands of crores.

She said Congress  top leaders were indulging in fraud and national ‘hera-feri’ and consolidating their own finances. On the other hand, Irani said the Prime Minister is working to empower the poor anganwadi works by increasing their emoluments as the dynasty is busy “empowering” itself.