National Herald case a bogus case as assets can never be transferred to Gandhi family, says lawyer once defended them
National Herald The lawyer who once defended him says that the case is a bogus case as the property can never be transferred to the Gandhi family.
Once one of the most talked-about faces of the Manmohan Singh government, Former Union Minister Kapil Sibal first turned into a scathing critic of the Congress leadership under the Gandhi family bow down silently, in his first interview after Elected Independent Members of Rajya SabhaMr. Sibal speaks of his new role, plans to bring opposition parties together but shirks away from discussing the Congress. Edited excerpt:
How will your new role differ from your previous one, both inside and outside Parliament?
The fact that I am not a member of any political party defines my role for the future. I will be free inside the House and my views will be in line with my ideology which has been the focus of my expression on a particular subject. I am opposed to the ideology of the present system and it will continue. I also oppose the present government which is targeting individuals through agencies of the government. I have a much wider canvas to work with as I am free to connect with leaders. This is a very difficult task, but along with other like-minded people, I hope to bring everyone Opposition parties on one platform, The other important thing about being an independent member is that I can express my free view on every controversial issue.
Some of your former colleagues in Congress have criticized you and claimed G23 (the group called internal reform in Congress) Everything was about a Rajya Sabha berth.
Well, first of all, I never asked for a Rajya Sabha seat Congress, They can check with the party leadership whether I have ever asked for any kind of Rajya Sabha seat in the coming elections. Number two, I could have joined the other party. I need not say that I will come to Parliament as an independent candidate. Of course people have the right to criticize but I don’t think it’s lead Congress Party No such comment has been made.
Given your strong views at first, your parting was a sweet affair,
No parting because my ideology is the same. It’s not a parting at all. And I will continue to support the right causes of the Congress Party and be an independent voice, if the reasons are not right. This is true of all political parties.
But you have left Congress earlier?
Yes, I did.
So what triggered that parting? It seems that Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav was ready to extend support even on a Congress ticket.
This is purely personal and I do not wish to give any public opinion on matters which are purely personal. What happened in the past does not matter for public discourse.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he wants a strong opposition, but the major opposition party, the Congress, is moving from one crisis to another.,
If Modi Yes Meaning whatever he says, he must follow the rhythmK. I ask my Prime Minister why is it that every big political leader of this country is being targeted by central agencies? Enforcement Directorate is not investigating anyone in BJP [ED] or Income Tax or CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation], So when you say you want a strong opposition, you should not use your agencies for political purposes, destabilize governments and destroy majority by misusing the provisions of 10th schedule and governors. If you want a strong opposition, you must not capture the institutions through which only your narrative reaches the people of this country or take 80-90% of your financial resources through electoral bonds. I have only one request to the Prime Minister: If you really want a strong opposition, be more democratic.
As far as Congress is concerned, I do not comment on the internal work of any other party. That’s why I am a free voice. within CongressI could do what I did but outside, I would never say anything against the inner workings of a political party. I have no ill-will, enmity or animosity towards the Congress Party.
As a lawyer, you previously handled National Herald The matter should be further known that the ED has summoned Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the money laundering case. What are your thoughts on this?
This is a fake case. How Can Someone With the Assets of a Nonprofit Commit Money Laundering? That money can never come to the Gandhi family under the law. So how can they ever launder money? I mean, it’s absurd. Motivated prosecution is initiated only because someone is standing in front of BJP’s juggernaut. This is again inconsistent with the Prime Minister’s statement that he wants a strong opposition.
In a recent interview, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan thanked him for getting him bail, but he seemed quite unhappy with Akhilesh Yadav. Therefore, every opposition party is facing some internal problems.
There are two parts to your question. So first let me address the part related to Azam Khan and I just want to clarify one thing; that I have nothing to do with him. Whenever I raise an issue, it is because I feel deeply about the injustice done to an individual or an organization or even a community. When the facts came to light, it was found that 87 cases were imposed on him. For something as trivial as stealing a goat. Some incidents were from 2004, 2007, 2008 and we are in 2022. [First Information Reports] were recorded over the course of two days; 1 pm, 2 pm. This happened soon after he was elected to the Lok Sabha as an important leader of the community.
As far as Azam Khan’s relations within the party are concerned, who am I to comment on that. It is for the party to look after its future and I am sure things will work out.