Overview
- Government records show National Herald received Rs 1.90 crore in 2023–24 and about Rs 99 lakh in 2024–25, accounting for roughly 69% of Karnataka’s Rs 1.42 crore national-newspaper ad spend this fiscal.
- Multiple reports describe the paper’s presence in Karnataka as negligible, with little or no circulation and operations largely as a digital or e-paper outlet.
- BJP leaders called the allocations misuse of taxpayer funds, with a Jan. 9 press conference alleging a broader pattern and citing Rs 97 lakh reportedly given to National Herald by the Himachal Pradesh government.
- Congress figures defended the placements, with Pawan Khera calling National Herald a “national heritage” and Karnataka leaders arguing governments can choose media outlets for outreach.
- The row unfolds against ongoing investigations, including an ED money-laundering probe into AJL and Delhi Police EOW notices to Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and MP D.K. Suresh over related financial records.