“There is nothing criminal or illegal on the Congress’ part in the case”, senior party leader and counsel Kabil Sibal said during a press conference here in Parliament House complex. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha today saw repeated adjournments as Congress members, accusing the Modi government of having a “vindictive and dictatotrial” attitude, shouted slogans and frequently took to the well of the Houses, making it hard for the Chairs to carry on with the proceedings.
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Parliament has failed to transact any major business in the Winter Sesssion of Parliament so far and with the summons to Sonia and Rahul, the Congress has decided to make the National Herald case a political battle.
The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed the plea of the Gandhis to quash the summons issued to them by a trial court on Swamy’s complaint regarding the acquisition of National Herald and asked them to appear before trial court on Tuesday.
Asked if she thought it was a case of political vendetta, Ms Gandhi told journalists in Parliament House that she would leave it to the media to judge. “That is not going to happen”. This is the way federal government functions.
Later, speaking to reporters in Chennai, Rahul Gandhi dared the Government to do whatever they want to do, but he would not back off an inch.
“This is the way the government tries to silence me…” I am not afraid of these things. “Why should I be scared?” she said.
Shahid Siddiqui says if Congress is a victim, let it not make a victim out of the country – don’t stall GST or Parliament. They were asked to appear on the following day.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a Congress spokesman and a lawyer representing the Gandhis said they were willing to appear at court, but sought more time.
Leading the government’s charge, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government or Parliament had nothing to do with the Delhi High Court’s decision to not stay the summons to Mrs Gandhi and the Congress vice president. I’m not scared of anything. “I replied that I am the daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi and I am not afraid of anybody or anything”. “Will someone tell me what your issue is?” she said.
An Indian court on Tuesday ordered opposition leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to appear before it in a case related to the alleged misappropriation of assets of a closed newspaper. They can challenge the orders in a higher court or face proceedings, he said.
The issue rocked Parliament and led to verbal clashes between the Congress and the BJP.
By afternoon, Congress members held a protest march from Teen Murti to the PM’s residence, 7 Race Course Road. He cited the cases against other Congress leaders such as Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and said these were all born out of political malice.
“Parliament, normally, doesn’t decide the guilt or innocence; this is to be determined by the court”.
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The after-effects of this will be felt in other key economic legislation such as the Prevention of Corruption Bill and the Whistleblowers (Protection) Bill pending before Parliament. “It’s extremely important and all parties must come together”.
