FM distances govt from National Herald case

“Even writing off such a huge debt by the Congress Party can legitimately attract allegations of cheating, fraud, etc”.

Rahul Gandhi’s clumsy and feeble response only exposed how unprepared the party was to deal with such an eventuality.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reached out to the country’s main opposition party chief Sonia Gandhi, greeting her on the 69th birthday. That single act had invested her with an enviable moral authority and raised her personal and political stock, status and standing dramatically. Why should the Congress Party and its leaders not contest the notice before the Court?

As it is, one of the Gandhi family members, Sonia’s son-in-law Robert Vadra is already under the scanner over his land deals.

Jaitley told reporters that the case was a matter of serious corruption as “funds collected for political purposes are being used for commercial activity”, adding that the government “doesn’t come into the picture” as it was a private complaint.

The case in itself has yet again brought to fore the INC’s corrupt image.

Congress members on Thursday disrupted proceedings of Lok Sabha demanding an apology from a BJP member for making “objectionable” remarks against party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia, forcing adjournment of the House for almost 25 minutes.

Referring to Congress protests against the government over perceived “political vendetta” in the National Herald case, he said members of the opposition party should not come near the speaker’s podium to protest.

The Goods and Services Tax Bill is on the list of government business in the Rajya Sabha during the week but the developments following court decision in National Herald case appear to have created hurdles for the government in getting Congress support for the long-pending bill.

The big question is whether the 69-year old leader will be able to do this?

A fierce Sushma Swaraj gave Rahul Gandhi a “lesson in Congress history”, asking him to read about Bofors and Warren Anderson leaving the country after the Bhopal gas tragedy. “The Prime Minister must respond”, he said. “I am Indira Gandhi’s daughter-in-law; I am not scared of anyone”. I have full faith in the judiciary.

That Mrs Gandhi responded to a high court summons with the ultimate Delhi swagger statement is revealing and points to the possible disconnect between those who think politically and those who live life normally. That is not going to happen, ” Rahul said.

Having done all this, with what gumption can the Gandhis claim their actions were above board, and, in fact, it is the actions of the prosecutors and the courts that are questionable?