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Author: Rajinder Puri
Publication: The Statesman
Date: February 7, 2012
URL: http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=399400&catid=39
When Mr Rahul Gandhi gave a call to India’s youth to enter politics and inject dynamism in the Congress, did he anticipate the quick and positive response it would evoke from within his own family? His brother-in-law Mr Robert Vadra has indicated that he is ready to enter politics to help Mr Gandhi. That Mr Vadra has political flair became evident as he joined the Congress campaign on the last day of the first-phase polling in Uttar Pradesh.
Mr Vadra, accompanied by his dozen loyalists ~ all on motorbikes, thundered across one assembly constituency campaigning for votes to help the Congress. Later, while addressing the media, Mr Vadra referred to his wife: “It is up to Priyanka... whenever she wants she can join politics. It’s Rahul’s time now. Priyanka’s time will also come.” Asked if he would enter politics, M. Vadra confessed that he was moved by the love and affection showered on him by the public during his brief interlude. He said that all the family would naturally help Mr Gandhi, even though he may not need help. But as family members they were duty bound to do their bit.
Asked specifically if he would stand for elections he said that if the people wanted him he would do so at the appropriate time. But he made clear that he would never seek any political post. He would devote all his time and energy only to politics in order to bring change. Mr Vadra’s ability to usher change should not be underestimated. In the world of commerce, he has demonstrated his talent to introduce dramatic change in his financial fortune that grew exponentially in a short period of time. Were he to divert his full attention to politics as indicated, he might well change the face of India’s largest state to realise Mr Rahul Gandhi’s dream. Indeed, given his close links to certain NDA leaders he might change not only UP but also UPA!
Mr Vadra’s wife Priyanka dismissed her husband’s political intentions. She said that in all probability the media by persistent questioning led him to make remarks that were twisted out of context. She said that as his wife she knew her husband well and he was focused only on doing business and happy being confined to that. However, appearing on TV, Mr Vadra did not at all appear pressured by the media to announce his possible future political role. He was focused and deliberate in his remarks. Since the couple has been staying apart for some time, the possibility cannot be ruled out that a new Mr Robert Vadra has emerged. Mrs Priyanka Vadra may not know her husband as well as she used to.
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