The National Herald case could turn into a political battle between the Opposition and the government against politics of vendetta.
The National Herald case could turn into a political battle between the Opposition and the government against politics of vendetta. While a combative Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Tuesday said: “I am the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi. I am not scared of anyone,” West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed solidarity with Mrs Gandhi, saying it makes her “sad” and “feel bad” that she was asked to appear in court.
In the Lok Sabha, NCP leader Tariq Anwar was seen backing the Congress’ protest against the government. It will be interesting to see whether the SP, BSP, RJD, AIADMK, DMK, JD(S) and the YSR Congress will remain neutral in Parliament on this issue, and thus back the government line that “law will take its own course”, or ally with the rest of the Opposition.
The National Herald case has ensured that Parliament cannot function smoothly till December 19, the day when Mrs Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi will appear before a Delhi court when the case will be heard. The current session of Parliament will conclude on December 23.
The Congress has decided to fight this case politically, legally, and perhaps on the streets, against the government and the Centre. In Cuddalore, Mr Gandhi alleged that the Centre thinks they can stop him from asking questions about them by “vendetta” politics. “That is not going to happen. This is the way the Central government functions. I absolutely see political vendetta,” he said.
Ms Banerjee said she would meet Mrs Gandhi Wednesday on her birthday. While expressing solidarity with her, she told reporters: “Sad that Sonia was asked to appear in court. Persons who have been in politics for such a long time, it is not good that they appear in court. I feel bad about it.” “However, it is the court’s decision and I will not comment about it,” Ms Banerjee said.
The party fielded three of its senior leaders, Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Singhvi and Randeep Surjewala, who insisted the government and the BJP wanted a “Congress-mukt Bharat”, and hence such cases against Congress leaders were being pushed.
Dubbing Dr Subramanian Swamy as “His Master’s Voice”, Mr Sibal alleged he has been specifically assigned to “persecute and prosecute” the Congress leadership and has been told to target them.
