BJP not even in picture of National Herald case: Swamy on Sonia's comments

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday said the party is not even in the picture of the National Herald case, in which summons have been issued to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi.

"The BJP is not even in the picture at all. I would like to educate her (Sonia) that this is a private complaint filed with the Metropolitan Magistrate Court," said Swamy.

Earlier today, Sonia said a court summoning Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and herself in connection with the National Herald case, smacked of 'political vindictiveness' by the Government.

Swamy further said that the court examined this case for a long time and checked every document meticulously, and then only issued summons.

"Prima facie summon it is a case of fraud. She has to come to the court to prove that she is not guilty," he added.

Talking to NDTV, Sonia also confirmed that the income tax department has served her party notices in a case that alleges that she and other party leaders misappropriated funds of a company that used to publish the erstwhile National Herald newspaper.

"This kind of political witch hunt will only help us and help us to come back faster (to power)," she said.

Last month, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were issued summons by a Delhi court in connection with the National Herald newspaper case. They have been asked to appear personally in court on August 7.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had filed a complaint on the charge that the Gandhis have swindling the newspaper's funds.