National Herald case political witch-hunt, says Ashwani Kumar
Former Congress Union Law Minister and senior advocate Ashwani Kumar has criticised the National Herald case against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, questioning the timing and intent behind it. “The way it is panning out, it seems more like a political witch hunt,” Kumar said, adding that the chargesheet presented after 10 long years raises doubts about its genuineness.
In an interview with The Tribune, Kumar called the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a “latter-day caged parrot”, he said using investigative agencies for political ends seemed to have become the norm rather than an exception. “And that is why I say that the processes of justice are being compromised at the initial stage itself.”
Kumar predicted that BJP’s vote share would substantially increase in Punjab due to its extensive outreach to Sikh leaders and the farming community. He also suggested that the Akali Dal and BJP could potentially form an alliance again. “Politics is the art of the possible. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they come together again,” he said.
He also speculated about AAP’s political future, with state elections only two years away. “I don’t think AAP is in the process of withering away in Punjab. It will certainly have substantially reduced numbers in the Assembly, but the Congress has a chance of reclaiming some of its lost ground.”
He warned his former party, the Congress, about the dangers of factionalism.
Kumar expressed concern over deteriorating Centre-state relations, particularly in Punjab, saying the state needed not only help but a “politics of renewal”. He criticised the current political climate, where opponents were seen as personal enemies rather than ideological opponents. “Governance is not about scoring political points in a court of law. Democratic governance is about enlisting the willing allegiance of the largest number of people in our country to your governance, to your rule. And that is not happening,” he said.
On the Uniform Civil Code, Kumar warned against alienating the minority community, stating, “You cannot alienate 20 crore people of this country… There’s a tipping point.” He emphasised the importance of democratic governance and constructive politics, where opposition parties and the ruling party work together on larger issues impacting the state’s future.”
Kumar also highlighted the importance of Urdu as a composite language of India, conveying the country’s pluralism, diversity and cultural richness. He quoted Alama Iqbal’s verse, “Dulcet speech, lofty vision, magnanimity of heart and dynamism – these are the attributes of a leader.”
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