'Thug' Vadra needs to realize mother-in-law not in power anymore: Swamy

Launching a frontal attack on Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra for attacking a journalist, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy said on Sunday that Vadra should realize that his mother-in-law is no longer in power.

"He needs to realize that his mother-in-law is not in power any more. He is a thug, he doesn't need protection, and society needs to be protected from him. There is no law that says that the press will ask questions according to his liking. In fact, his SPG should also be withdrawn," said Swamy.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Nawab Malik condemned the act as well, and said this kind of behavior with a reporter is not acceptable.

"Behaving like this with a reporter is not acceptable. I condemn this incident. The press plays a major role in a democracy, and he should apologize for his behavior. Many people are accused everyday, but these types of incidents should not take place. He should have just said no comments," said Malik.

Senior journalist and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashutosh said that no clarification can justify Vadra's misbehavior.

"Allegations do not mean you push the mic away, press should be allowed to ask questions. Clarification doesn't justify misbehavior," Ashutosh said.

BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the incident was in bad taste, and added that such things were not in his (Vadra's), his party's or his family's favour.

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja said, "I condemn this behavior, we should not behave like this when in public life."

Meanwhile, security outside Robert Vadra's residence has been increased. The police has also set up barricades outside his residence.

Yesterday, Vadra lost his temper and pushed an ANI reporter's mic away, when asked a question about the land deal scam. "Are you serious? Are you serious? Are you nuts? What is wrong with you," Vadra kept asking repeatedly.

Vadra and his security guards also threatened the reporter and asked him to turn off his camera at a private event held at the Ashoka Hotel.