Even as India Against Corruption (IAC) and media reports provided details of the wealth amassed, particularly from the real estate business, by Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress President, Sonia Gandhi, most mainstream political parties are taking a cautious stance.
Other than demanding a probe into the allegations, even the strongest critics of the Congress seem to have decided not attack the first family or follow-up on what IAC has started.
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party is miffed with IAC, particularly activist, Anjali Damania, for alleging that party President Nitin Gadkari was not keen to attack the National Congress Party over the irrigation scam in Maharashtra.
“Kejriwal is not a trustworthy person,” a senior BJP leader told
“Our hands are full with coal and 2G scams,” the leader said. When asked why the BJP, which moved a notice to discuss Vadra’s fortunes in the Rajya Sabha a year ago, did not pursue the issue, the leader said he was not aware of the reasons for doing so.
The Congress, which has termed the IAC and Kejriwal as the ‘B team’ of BJP and RSS, sees the allegations as a conspiracy to tarnish the party’s leadership.
“Without taking any institutional action, they (IAC) appeared before the media. Have they approached the Government for a probe? Have they registered any FIR on the issue?” party spokesperson, Rashid Alvi, said.
Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy who raised similar charges against Vadra a year ago, said he was suspicious about Kejriwal’s move.
“If they are serious, they should have filed a case against Vadra. By raising the issue in this manner, they want to help Congress President Sonia Gandhi who can now tame her son-in-law,” he said. He said he was unable to pursue the matter as he was “busy” with 2G.
The CPI(M) also issued a statement on the matter on Monday, saying the business dealings and affairs of companies promoted by Vadra should be investigated by the relevant authorities.
“Only such a probe can bring out the truth,” the party’s Polit Bureau said. A senior CPI(M) leader said it was up to the Government to register a case against Vadra.
“Political parties have certain reservations in issuing statements against a private person. The Government should take action,” he added.