Congress MPs push leadership to raise vendetta charge

NEW DELHI: Congress MPs forced the leadership to raise the issue of “political vendetta” in Parliament, alleging that the complaint in National Herald case through Subramanian Swamy was indicative of more “dirty tricks” on their way.
As Congress members from the two Houses of Parliament met in the presence of supremo Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday morning, it was suggested the party step up protests against Union minister V K Singh for his “dog” remark allegedly about Dalits.
But other MPs moved in with alacrity to red-flag the suggestion. Senior member Ambika Soni said Congress should protest about the National Herald complaint by flagging it as political retribution on the part of BJP. She was backed by Deepender Hooda.
As a vote of sorts was sought on what should be the day’s agenda, members unanimously plumped for protest on “vendetta”.
An MP underlined that even if the proceedings were obstructed on V K Singh’s “dog” comment, BJP would accuse Congress of using it as a cover to retaliate against the government on National Herald summons. “So, we should raise the issue of political vendetta without reservations,” an MP said.
With the strategy meet meandering along, MP Kumari Selja demanded that the party put an end to the cogitation with one-point agenda that “political vendetta” was the core concern. A member cautioned that the party should steer clear of the judge or the judiciary while criticizing the government.
Some members said Swamy’s presence in the case should not be seen as incidental since “he is close to RSS”, suggesting a “larger game plan” to put Congress and the Gandhi family off balance.
Interesting, sources said, as the tempers rose, Sonia sat silently, smiling. Lest others wonder what she found so amusing in the heated atmosphere, Sonia clarified she was smiling because “I don’t understand what the government is doing”.
The meet became a forum for venting by Congress members. MPs criticized Lok Sabha Speaker for her handling of proceedings, referring to the day when Mallikarjun Kharge raised the V K Singh issue.