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For the BJP, the allegations against Robert Vadra present an easy opportunity to target the Gandhi family
Priyanka made it a point to accompany her husband to the ED office each time he was called for questioning, knowing these photos could be used to gain political points and sympathy. File pic/PTI
Hours after an Enforcement Directorate chargesheet named Robert Vadra as an accused in the Shikohpur land deal case, the businessman and husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of a witch hunt. A statement from his office said, “As a law-abiding Indian citizen, Mr. Vadra has always and will continue to extend his fullest cooperation to the authorities and is confident that at the end of it all, the truth will prevail and he will be cleared of any wrongdoing. The present proceedings are nothing more than an extension of the political witch hunt by the present government against Mr. Vadra. Mr. Vadra is looking forward to the opportunity to defend himself and clear his name in court.”
The Congress has so far remained silent, likely because Vadra is seen as the party’s Achilles heel. Before Priyanka Gandhi Vadra entered active politics, she was reluctant to attract any attention or limelight towards her husband. The party was specifically asked by her not to intervene on his behalf, such as when his name first came up in the Skylight Hospitality regulatory issue. The Congress party defended him initially but then suddenly became silent.
This was because Priyanka felt that defending him, given his lack of active political involvement and membership in the Congress party, would create a negative perception. If there was one person Priyanka was protective of, it was her husband. She believed that his involvement in such allegations would hurt him politically. Yet, he was often seen with Rahul Gandhi, such as when he filed his Lok Sabha election nominations for Amethi and Raebareili. Robert Vadra was encouraged to be there by the Gandhi family to project a united front.
There is no denying that Robert Vadra harbours political ambitions. Even before Priyanka took the political plunge, Robert was open about his desire to contest elections someday. In an interview with News 18, he had said, “I would do what the people want me to do, and I feel people want me to join politics, so I will choose the right time to do so.”
He also campaigned extensively for Rahul Gandhi in Raebareli, and there were times when he was seen alone meeting people, which led to speculation that he might contest from Amethi against Smriti Irani in the 2024 elections.
For the Bharatiya Janata Party, the allegations against Robert Vadra present an easy opportunity to target the Gandhi family, as both Sonia and Rahul also face scrutiny in the National Herald case. Vadra’s inclusion in the chargesheet for the first time is seen as a significant advantage. This also allows the BJP to target Priyanka. Unlike Rahul Gandhi, BJP insiders acknowledge that Priyanka has more determination and aggression and can effectively challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling party. Additionally, her gender works in her favour. Her husband is her weak spot, and each time she attacks the BJP and the PM, they retaliate by bringing up Robert Vadra’s name. Before his name was included in the chargesheet, it was easy for Priyanka to demand proof from the BJP. The party feels it will no longer be easy for her to taunt them.
Priyanka made it a point to accompany her husband to the ED office each time he was called for questioning, knowing these photos could be used to gain political points and sympathy. Now, with Robert Vadra’s inclusion in the chargesheet, the BJP aims to undermine her strategy. Vadra remains the weak link in the Gandhi-centred Congress politics.
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als…Read More
Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als… Read More
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