Cover Story by Priya Sahgal: National Herald Fallout

“Make no mistake about it”, said Kamal Nath, a senior leader as he arrived in court along with other senior members of the party.

The legal battle turned into a political showdown as the Congress cried vendetta, saying petitioner Subramanian Swamy was acting only at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the ruling BJP denied any role of the government in the case and wondered “why the Congress was feeling threatened if it had not done any wrong in the National Herald affairs”. The Congress has, however, assured the government that it will allow the passage of the Prevention of Atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Bill in the Rajya Sabha next week.

New Delhi, Dec 19 The BJP on Saturday accused the Congress of organising a show of strength while its top leaders appeared in a court here in the National Herald case, and said “Congress and corruption are made for each other”.

All were asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of like amount, respectively.

Sonia’s son-in-law Robert Vadra also took to social media to support her and his brother-in-law Rahul.

The Congress leaders, including the Gandhis, looked and behaved like martyrs as they walked into court, smiling and waving. After being granted bail, the Gandhis came out of the court room along with their advocates Kapil Sibal, Ramesh Gupta and Congress leaders.

In neighbouring West Bengal, Trinamool Congress MP Sudipto Bandyopadhyay said the BJP-led central government “is pursuing vindictive politics against opposition parties in the country”.

Shortly after returning from the court, both the Gandhis accused Modi of seeking to bend his opponents and said they were not afraid and will fight back. “We have complete faith in the judicial system”, he said.

The next date of hearing in the case has been scheduled for February 20 and the accused will have to personally appear before the court again.

“The country’s laws are applicable equally to all citizens, without fear or favour”. We should face trial without fear. It was in reference to online fun being poked at Rahul Gandhi. The optics of mother and son, the most politically privileged “two-some” in the country, walking into court, submitting themselves to the court of law, was intended at sending a message of their “modesty” and “respect for the law”.

Congress disrupted Parliament over this and it will be held accountable for this, he said.

Rahul’s grandmother, Indira Gandhi, was prime minister when she was gunned down in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards.

The Congress’ spin doctors were of the opinion that the entire case might just help the party, particularly Mrs Gandhi and Mr Gandhi, garner “sympathy”. “We will give a determined fight”, former premier Singh told reporters.

The day started with Congress leader Digvijaya Singh posting a series of tweets accusing the BJP of launching a “sustained vilification campaign” against Nehruvian ideology.

They are given certain exemptions and benefits.

In his reaction, Swamy said all their claims that they would not seek bail proved false.

Calling Swamy a “mask” for Modi, he said the BJP functionary has been awarded with a bungalow for dragging Congress leadership to court even though he was not a Parliamentarian or government official.

The big question is can the Gandhi’s win the war?

The National Herald newspaper was intently related to India’s freedom wrestle and the Indian National Congress until 2008. Before its closure, the paper was being run by Associated Journals Limited (AJL).