Change in Congress party strategy on defending Vadra
Now despite Kejriwals purported evidence of quid-pro-quo, the party has decided to let the entities concerned do all the talking
Its been more than 24 hours since Arvind Kejrwal fired his second salvo about the “unholy nexus” between Robert Vadra, realty major DLF and the Haryana government; and apart from the lone voices of a few Congress spokespersons rubbishing the charges, there is deathly silence from the UPA government.
The last time around when India Against Corruption’s (IAC) Kejriwal first leveled charges against Vadra, senior Cabinet ministers rallied around in Robert Vadra’s defence and Finance minister P.Chidambaram decisively ruled out any probe into the dealings labeling it a “private transaction.” Ambika Soni, Salman Khurshid, Veerappa Moily, Kapil Sibal to even former Law minister and present Karnataka governor HR Bhardwaj, all spoke up to support Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Vadra, alleging that it was intended to be an attack on the Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
This action however drew flak from all quarters with questions being raised as to why Cabinet ministers were rallying around in support of Vadra who is ostensibly a “private citizen.”
Now despite Kejriwal’s purported evidence of quid-pro-quo, the party has decided to let the entities concerned (DLF and the Haryana government) do all the talking.
As a senior Congress leader speaking to Business Standard said, “The Haryana government has answered all charges in a detailed press conference on Tuesday. Where is the need for us(the Congress party) to respond. Also we don’t hold any brief for DLF. They have come out with their own statement.”
Ity seems the party has belated realized that its overzealousness to protect Vadra’s name has only ended up attracting more attention and giving more than undue importance.
“Just because somebody (Kejriwal) insists on regurgitating lies every day, we do not need to respond,” says a Congress spokesperson.
“When ministers reacted initially then we were asked why are all Congress ministers speaking up and even accused of pyscophancy. So now the government can’t appear to be associated with this and its been left to the people concerned to defend themselves. At most the regular party spokespersons can dismiss the charges,” said a Union minister.
He added, “Robert Vadra has already put across a statement in public, so now there is nothing more for the party to say.
However what the party is most concerned about is managing the ‘public perception’ that such an issue has raised. “Whether it be the Haryana chief minister Hooda or the other concerned parties they need to successfully clarify public perception.”