By Japan K Pathak, Ahmedabad, 2 November 2014

Congress friend said Robert Vadra is a businessman, a private citizen and therefore question asked to him by ANI reporter was not proper.

In reaction to this, during a TV debate I asked following questions:

-If he is a private citizen, why he is still living in government bungalow ,35 Lodi Estate since 21-2-1997? Why as per an RTI reply government arm CPWD spent Rs. 3,80,320 last year just for electric fittings in his bungalow?

-If he is a private citizen, why he was seen campaigning for Congress party during election in year 2012 leading a bike rally?

-If he is a private citizen why he is enjoying Z+ security in strength of 36 jawans?

-If he is a private citizen why batter of Congress spokespersons are defending him for last two days after the incident of Ashoka hotel?

-If he is a private citizen, why serving UPA-2 union ministers Salman Khurhid and Jayanti Natrajan jumped in to defend him in public after Arvind Kejriwal made serious allegations against him in recent past?

-If he is a private citizen, why he has been given exemption from frisking at airports? Barring Dalai Lama whom India unofficially considers head of state of Tibet, none other than Vadra enjoys such privilege!

In addition, ANI journo had not asked any personal question like how after Robert’s wedding with Priyanka, his sister Michell died accidentally in 2001(official version accident), how his brother Richard died accidentally in 2003(official version suicide) and his father Rajendra died accidentally in 2009(official version suicide)?

ANI journo had asked a question related to a land deal which caused Rs. 44 crore loss to treasury of Indian state of Haryana(click here to read the Times of India report).

Congress leader Surejwala in a media byte said that Vadra is neither elected representative or party office bearer. Well, Mr. Surjewala must know that businessman, artist, actor, singer whoever is there, the media would ask a question when controversy erupts. Vadra is a businessman whose deal has caused harm to state treasury as per the details emerging now. He is a businessman. How he is not answerable?

BJP spokesperson Mr. Patra says that in Congress, the family is party, and unlike BJP, party is not family. Vadra is son-in-law of Congress president whose party was in power for last ten years. Why media can just not ask question to him about his dealing that involves a state government?

Instead of calling a reporter nut and idiot and asking him repeatedly “are you serious?” Vadra could simply choose to reply any of the line presented below:

-Please ask anything about today’s event only.
-Sorry, I would talk about today’s event only this time.
-No comment.
-These questions, not at this time, thanks.
-I have no comment to make on that at this point.
-Government is free to investigate into it. I will extend my cooperation.
-There’s nothing wrong in any of our deals. Courts have time to time backed to this version when our deals are challenged legally.
-As and when required we communicate our version.Thanks.

This was still acceptable, but hitting the microphone, calling a journo idiot, nut, vicious body language was unacceptable.

Vadra enjoys Z+ security with a cover of 36 jawans. Some of them detained ANI cameraman and reporter and asked to delete the footage. Thanks to presence of mind and quick decision of camera person that he deleted the other clip in which treadmill was filmed. This act of forcing removal of footage was worst part of Vadra’s ugly behavior.

Vadra has been like this in the past too. Once he described India as Banana Republic and Indians as Mango people on his Facebook account. After protest and big controversy, he later deactivated his Facebook account.

Looking at his such record, a written two-line statement of apology was absolutely not expected from Vadra.

Such incidents leave imprints on people’s mind about the party, its leadership and its image. I must say, Congress has lost more sympathizers today among whatever left.