While taking satisfaction that he ultimately made top Congress leaders 'walk to the law', he also claimed that court declined exemption from appearance. "My goal is not only to eliminate corruption but instill courage in ordinary citizen and fear in the high and mighty," he further stated.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy, petitioner in the National Herald case, said he did not oppose bail for Congress president Sonia and her son Rahul Gandhi. He also dismissed Congress allegations that it was a case of personal vendetta against the Gandhis or other Congress leaders, saying he had never met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take any directions from him. "No one has told me anything to either slow down or pursue the National Herald case. I do not want any support from BJP or from anyone. I didn't get support from my party during 2G scam also. I don't need it," he said. "I did not oppose bail today, only opposed exemption. Thus, the accused all produced bail for Rs 50 000. No exemption. No bail boast?" Swamy said in a tweet.
While taking satisfaction that he ultimately made top Congress leaders 'walk to the law', he also claimed that court declined exemption from appearance. "My goal is not only to eliminate corruption but instill courage in ordinary citizen and fear in the high and mighty," he further stated.
"When Sonia and Rahul Gandhi came they were made to stand in a corner where the accused are supposed to be, they were not allowed to sit," he further said. Later, in an interview to a TV channel, Swamy also hit out at suggestions that he has been accorded Z category security and government bungalow as a reward for pursuing the case. "Congress persons may be purchasable. I am a sanyasi. I don't need houses," he shot back.
Responding to Congress's criticism over the extension of 'Z' category security to him, Swamy said it was during former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao's tenure that he was provided this protection, which was later curtailed by the UPA government.
Speaking to reporters here, Swamy said that the Congress government led by Rao had provided 'Z' category security to him.
That was later curtailed by the previous UPA government and made applicable only in a few states, he added.
"When our (BJP) government came, they said this is injustice and again provided me the security that had been given to me during Rao's tenure," he said.
"Now I don't know if they (Congress) think Narasimha Rao was a BJP man," he said.
Swamy criticised the Congress for holding "processions and gatherings" ahead of Sonia and Rahul's appearance in the court. "This taking out of processions, gathering of crowds... so many arrangements have to be made.
With all this, a message would go out to the world that not all is equal in our country and democracy is not well-established.
"I tell Congress, that is why your name is spoiled... you are losing this case, that is why you are doing all this. If you are winning, then go smiling to court," Swamy said.
—With agency inputs
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