Jaitley asks Gandhis to answer court

Rejecting the Congress’s charge of the government unleashing a “political vendetta” through the National Herald case, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said it is the court that has summoned Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul.

He also said that the NDA government was ready for any discussion on the “serious” charges to put the facts before parliament.

“This government has not done any illegal action against anyone.... In case of Congress leaders, it is not the action of the government but that of the judiciary. ...Court has summoned them and not the government. Give your reply to them,” Jaitley told the Rajya Sabha, while countering the Congress’s charges of their leaders being targeted for raising questions against the Centre.

After the House was adjourned on the issue, Jaitley commented that the Gandhis should face the courts since India is not a banana republic where Parliament or media can decide guilt or innocence in legal matters.

“No political vendetta. A private complaint was lodged. Government had nothing to do with it. The High Court has dismissed their case and asked them to go and face trial. Nobody in this country has immunity from law. They can challenge the orders in a higher court or face proceedings,” he said.

Realising that the government may have to forgo another session without passing the GST bill, the BJP fielded Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to corner the Congress’s first family on corruption. 

On Congress president drawing Indira Gandhi’s legacy to say that she is not scared of anyone, the minister said, “Anyone may be daughter-in-law but that does not make any difference for the courts.” 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu charged the Congress of raising such issues since it does not want Parliament to function.