New Delhi, Feb 11
Robert Vadra on Monday urged people for safety of Priyanka Gandhi, his wife and Congress General Secretary, saying the political atmosphere is "vindictive and vicious".
His remark came ahead of Priyanka's first road show after she entered active politics nearly a fortnight ago, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. Congress President Rahul Gandhi and many other senior party leaders also participated in the road show. She was appointed party General Secretary for eastern UP last month.
Vadra took to Facebook to say, "There is a very vindictive and vicious political atmosphere... But I know, it's her duty to serve the people and now we hand her to the people of India. Please keep her safe." He also wished her luck on her political debut.
"My best wishes to you P (Priyanka) on your new journey of working in UP and serving the people of India," Vadra posted the message.
He also praised her for being a "perfect wife and mother".
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) continues to be hot on Vadra's heels. Last week, Vadra was questioned by the ED for over 24 hours on three days -- Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday -- in a money laundering case.
The ED is scheduled to question him again on Tuesday in Jaipur in connection with another money laundering case involving a Bikaner land deal.
On January 21, Vadra was directed by the Rajasthan High Court to appear before the ED on February 12 along with his mother Maureen Vadra, also a partner in the Skylight Hospitality LLP.
Vadra was granted protection from arrest till February 16 by a Delhi Court, which was hearing anticipatory bail plea filed by him, on February 2.
Political obituary' of Rahul Gandhi written today: Akali Dal leader
Chandigarh, Feb 11 (IANS) A Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader said on Monday that Congress President Rahul Gandhi's "political obituary" had been written with the launch of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into active politics.
"Aaj bhog pai gaya hai Rahul Gandhi ji da (Today, the political obituary of Rahul Gandhi has been written)," Bikram Singh Majithia told the media here while reacting to Priyanka Gandhi's first roadshow in Lucknow after becoming the General Secretary in charge of East Uttar Pradesh.
Majithia, who is Union Minister for Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal's younger brother, said that by launching Priyanka Gandhi, the Congress party has itself admitted to the political failure of Rahul Gandhi.
"The Congress has admitted on its own that Rahul is a failure and things are not working (for the party). So they have brought in the sister now. The writing is on the wall for the Congress," Majithia, a former cabinet minister in Punjab, said.
"It does not matter to us. The Congress can decide who it wants to bring forward. Whether it is Rahul Gandhi or (mother) Sonia Gandhi or (brother-in-law) Robert Vadra, we have nothing to do with this," he added.
