No party can decide what will be our political work: Cong

Adopting a combative approach over the controversy on The Associated Journals issue, the Congress today said it has discharged its "political dharma" and was ready to contest any challenge in any fora for giving loan to support National Herald.

Adopting a combative approach over the controversy on The Associated Journals issue, the Congress on Saturday said it has discharged its "political dharma" and was ready to contest any challenge in any fora for giving loan to support National Herald.

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Party general secretary Janardan Dwivedi also launched a hard-hitting attack on Janta Party chief Subramanian Swamy and the BJP for carrying out a "propaganda of lie" and "distorting" facts.

Seeking to rebut the allegations point by point, Dwivedi told reporters, "How can there be a commercial purpose as alleged when no interest was charged for the loan?"

Responding to BJP leader Arun Jaitley's contention that a political party can use its funds only for political purposes and not any business or financial activity, Dwivedi asserted, "Who will decide what political work for any party?

"We will decide what is political work for us and not any other party. BJP will not be allowed to decide what is political work for us. For some parties spreading rumour and unrest is political work.

"To promote the Gandhi-Nehru thought is political work and to encourage the people, organisations and instruments working for the cause. We have discharged our political dharma because Associated Journals has worked to promote the Gandhi-Nehru thought."

Holding that the revival of National Herald was an issue of great importance and sentiments for the Congress, he said, "National Herald was established by Jawaharlal Nehru to give strength to the freedom struggle. Nehru is not only the leader of a party but the whole nation.