National Herald case: Sonia, Rahul may not invoke Indira's 'give me handcuffs' dare, may get home in time for tea
Mrs 'arris went to Paris. The Gandhis are going to court armed with bail bonds. Will
it be a massive sensation or will it fizzle out?
it be a massive sensation or will it fizzle out?
The Gandhi family loves the taste of martyrdom. And they do have a sense of the
occasion.
occasion.
Indira Gandhi sprinkled it with zest and vigour, her ‘give me handcuffs’ appeal on
a roadside culvert at the Delhi border after her arrest in October 1977 made the Janata
government look silly and inept and gave her theatrics legendary status.
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi’s legal team is set to appear before court Saturday armed with
bail bonds, newspaper reports have confirmed.
The Gandhis’ legal team figured that “it will serve no purpose” if they don’t seek bail
because the case is “politically motivated,” reports The Indian Express.
Pale, off-white clothes and a dash of martyrdom, maybe?
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul may
have an opportunity to
outperform the Indian Iron lady
as they march off to answer a
summons in court pertaining to
the embezzlement of thousands
of crores in what has come to be
known as the National Herald case.
have an opportunity to
outperform the Indian Iron lady
as they march off to answer a
summons in court pertaining to
the embezzlement of thousands
of crores in what has come to be
known as the National Herald case.
Simply clad, pale and stoic would
be their tone, perhaps off-white
clothes and an expression of wounded dismay with a bit of stiff upper lip and a ‘what else
can you expect’ look on their faces. Stonefaced Mum and 'what me worry' son.
They probably have rehearsed their entry and will silently ooze suffering while their
supporters will make all the noise outside the premises that might stretch into a law and
order problem in the city. The whole aim will be to twist the situation around as an
indictment of the Modi-led government and display it as evidence of non-governance and
what has been labelled ‘vendetta politics.’
Subramanian Swamy has petitioned the courts filing charges against Sonia Gandhi,
420), breach of trust, conspiracy.”
Drama in the court itself is unlikely and one imagines after they have pleaded ‘not guilty’ to
whatever charges are read out bail will be set, paid and they will go home for tea, if not
lunch. One cannot see them being physically detained at this point especially once they
enter the ‘not guilty’ plea. Even if they are arrested (which technically could happen)
one cannot see them being confined to a holding cell.
Legal experts tell Firstpost the entire legal procedure could be thoroughly devoid of drama
and get over in a matter of few minutes, maximum half and hour.
If there are any theatrics we will have to look to the Congress rank and file who will want
to whip as much anti-Modi sentiment as they can. For them every negative scenario is
exploitable and packaged as evidence that the BJP is engaged in a witch-hunt, not in running
the country.
Since for the mother and son it is their date in court, it makes sense to go through the
formalities swiftly and dispense with the case for the day so that the part cadre is not
given enough time to foment trouble and cause disruptions in the capital. They are
already making inflammatory statements about what they will do by way of protests in case
the Gandhis are detained. The longer the duo are made to sit there in the courthouse the
more the chances of there being clashes between Congress and BJP workers.
Most likely, they will, along with five others, give an assurance of appearing when
summoned and surrender their passports or agree to seek permission from the court
before travelling abroad. That guarantee should satisfy the needs of the law.
The public perception to the Subramanian Swamy gambit at this moment is one of casual
indifference and the mood seems to have made more sombre by the disruptions in
Parliament than by this flurry of accusations. He is seen neither as a crusader or a hero,
just as a person lost in yesterday trying hard to gain attention today.
This sideshow hasn’t captured much attention outside Delhi and is seen as more of the
same with patience wearing thin over the long string of accusations and counter accusations
between these two parties. But it could balloon into a major national crisis if the Gandhis are
incarcerated.
Legally, proving the Gandhis guilty of malfeasance will take a long time and only get more
confusing by each hearing. It is also in legal speak a very tenuous linkage and not easy to
prove deliberate criminal
conduct.
Sadly, the spill-over will hit Parliament’s functioning and the final four days are not likely to
see much work done and it will need a miracle to pass the GST bill which will now be placed
on hold till April 2016.
Perhaps the only advantage for Saturday is that the Kejriwal-Modi impasse will be eclipsed
by this appearance and he can take a day off from badmouthing the Prime Minister.
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