Letters: No one's private property

With reference to Rahul Jacob's brilliant column "Priyanka, cause celebre" (Country Code, May 9), it is sad but true that the great Indian National Congress, which fought for India's freedom, is now reduced to a family affair. Many senior Congress leaders are silent in this campaign. Only Sonia Gandhi's family is articulate and vociferous. Now that Sonia and Rahul are battle weary, Priyanka has entered the fray. She is almost visceral in her biting attacks on Narendra Modi. Priyanka holds no party or government position. Yet, she is leading the attack from the front.

The Gandhi family has been attacking Modi's personal life also, for example his matrimonial status. This is incorrect. Whether a leader has a wife or a girlfriend is his personal issue. It is not a national issue. Corruption and poor growth are national issues.

Priyanka Vadra is becoming unnecessarily emotional in the current election campaign. She should have stepped up to explain the telecom scandal, the coal scandal and the Commonwealth games scandal. She was silent all along. Now, when she finds her brother pilloried, she is picking up the gauntlet.

Some decades ago, the great Indian journalist, Frank Moraes wrote in his column, "India is nobody's father's private property." Indira Gandhi was the prime minister then and gearing up to declare an Emergency. Priyanka would do well to read Moraes' columns before shouting herself hoarse at public meetings to support, in her own words, her "bada bhai".

Rajendra K Aneja Dubai

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