Congress-BJP war of words gathers steam

The war of words between the BJP and the Congress over the National Herald issue intensified on Saturday with the latter alleging that the Modi government was indulging in “political vendetta”. The BJP, however, claimed that it is a legal matter and the Opposition party has been trying to give a wrong impression to the people.

Raising questions about the government’s action, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said if it was not indulging in “political vendetta” then why Subramanian Swamy, who was the complainant in the case, has been given ‘Z’ category security and only on Friday, a “Cabinet minister’s house” in Delhi’s Lutyen’s Zone.

He also raised questions about statements made by senior BJP ministers on the issue to support his contention that the government was indulging in “political vendetta” and also referred to the removal of the previous enforcement directorate chief.

“It’s a political vendetta led by, I am saying with a sense of responsibility, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swamy is only a small cog in this entire wheel of conspiracy,” Mr Surjewala alleged.

He, however, emphasised that his party and the leadership have complete faith in the judiciary, its processes and will fight the legal battle in court. “We will fight the legal battle in accordance with the law and we will fight the political battle with the Modi government both inside Parliament and also by being the voice of 125 crore people of this country,” Mr Surjewala said.

He said that since his party leadership has faith and respect the court processes, workers also have been advised not to gather outside the court.

BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narasimha Rao, meanwhile, said that initially the Congress party’s attempt was to build pressure and give an opinion to the people that this was some kind of administrative action or political vendetta by rivals. But the court order has “nailed all these absurd allegations.”

“They have even tried to use or mortgage their political and parliamentary strength to get some kind of relief in the court of public opinion by building up political pressure. But the reality is, this is a legal case,” Mr Rao said.

Echoing similar view, Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “We do not want to comment on what happened inside the court but we will like to speak on comments made and drama done outside. There is always fight against corruption but this is the first time in the country’s history that we can see this fight for corruption, that too in a very shameful manner”. “The nation today saw their revolutionary conduct in support of corruption. It seemed that they were not accused in a case of corruption but some great freedom fighters who have hit the road,” he said. Those who are “dishonest” are being presented as people having made sacrifices, he said.