Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, panned by the BJP as ‘damaadji’, has once again left the Congress party fumbling and at a loss for words. On April 14, Vadra spoke to news agency ANI at Delhi’s Golf Club, sounding off his electoral ambitions, distancing himself from the Gandhis and declaring he would never flee the country.
Congress Communication chief Randeep Surjewala refused to comment and said that Vadra, (Priyanka Gandhi’s husband) had spoken in a ‘personal capacity.’ Congress senior leader and spokesperson Anand Sharma refused to answer when questioned on the issue.
Congressmen are bewildered as to what prompted Vadra to make these statements. But speculation is rife that the probe panel instituted by the BJP-led Haryana government to investigate Vadra’s controversial land deals is close to finalising its report. Political circles observed this could have led to Vadra being flustered and trying to clear the air that he was not going to flee the country at any cost.
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Twitterati reacted with tongue-in-cheek observations, with one aptly pointing out, ‘Earlier, Vadra was a dude, now he is subdued.’
The famous son-in-law who was perceived as a liability for the Congress has also in the past displayed his electoral ambitions. A few years back while taking part in an electoral campaign in Rae Bareli, the Gandhis's favourite borough, he declared: "If people want, I can join politics.'' The Congress was hugely embarrassed then. Priyanka Gandhi had attempted to silence the media speculations by stating, "He (Vadra) is a successful businessman and has no time for politics".
Robert Vadra clearly doesn’t feel the same way. Asked about his electoral ambitions, Vadra told the news agency, “You never say never, so let’s see what the future has in store for me. When I feel I can work for the people, when I get my calling, that is when I’ll think of joining politics.”
The BJP reacted sharply to Vadra’s comments about the public being unhappy with the ruling dispensation and they would revolt against it. Attacking Vadra, the BJP said the government was “pro-common man” and the only people feeling the heat were those who had committed “fraud” and made money at the expense of poor farmers.