Stepping up attack on Congress, BJP today dubbed Rahul Gandhi as a “lying machine” and asked him to come out with facts in National Herald case instead of holding Parliament “hostage”.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, without a direct reference to the Congress’ stalling of parliamentary proceedings, said at an event that the twin dangers to democracy in India were mantantra or rule by the whims of a few and dhantantra or rule by money power. Without naming Congress president Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi, Jaitley said the Congress leaders have got stuck in a “chakravyu” created by themselves and are now obstructing Parliament for it. The government, he said, “will wait for the outcome of court proceeding”. It has reached out to the opposition and is scheduled to launch another bid to forge a consensus and ensure the crucial legislation’s passage.
Incidentally, the Congress decided a course correction on Friday, with its head in that House, Ghulam Nabi Azad, stating its protest there was not linked to theNational Herald case but to its demand for action against “tainted” ruling party chief ministers.
In his case, Swamy accuses the Gandhis of fraud, cheating, misappropriation and criminal breach of trust in acquiring the assets of a company that had published the National Herald, a newspaper founded by Rahul’s great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru. They appealed to the Delhi High Court, which this week quashed their plea seeking exemption from a personal appearance. After hearing, the High Court dismisses it. Now you either go to trial court or you challenge it in Supreme Court. “We are hundred per cent proposers of GST”, the Congress leader said.
He alleges that, through a series of debt and equity deals, a shell company that Sonia and Rahul controlled acquired property worth about $300 million after paying just $75,000. They have used tax-exempted income for a non-exempted goal.
“The cause I am fighting for is far greater because that’s where the cancer is”, said the 76-year-old Harvard-trained economist and ex-cabinet minister, whose strident Hindu identity politics has attracted a fanatical following.
Mr. Jaitley said “Transfer of Enforcement Directorate Director Rajan S Katoch is not related to National Herald case”.
Asked about his statements as opposition leader and Gujarat’s opposition to GST, he said he had never ever opposed the Goods and Services Tax regime that will replace all indirect taxes to create a unified market.
“But, the results of legal battles are always uncertain. Democracy is strengthened by Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation)”, said Modi at the Jagran Forum of Jagran News.
Sibal said: “He (Modi) does Mann ki Baat everyday, we want he should do “dhang ki baat” (meaningful talks) also”.
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The Congress continued to protest in both Houses of Parliament ensuring the Rajya Sabha, where it’s the single largest party, was adjourned without transacting any business.
