Will continue to support right causes of Congress and be an independent voice if causes are not right: Kapil Sibal

The National Herald case is a bogus case as assets can never be transferred to the Gandhis, says the lawyer who once defended them

Once among the most visible faces of the Manmohan Singh Government, Kapil Sibal transformed into a trenchant critic of the Congress leadership under the Gandhis before quietly bowing out. In his first interview after becoming a newly elected independent member of the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Sibal speaks about his new role, plans to bring Opposition parties together but stayed away from discussing Congress. Edited excerpts.

The fact that I am not a member of a political party itself defines my role for the future. I will be independent within the House and my views will be consistent with my ideology which has been central to my articulation on any particular subject. I am opposed to the ideology of the present establishment and that will continue. I am also opposed to the present dispensation which is targeting individuals through agencies of the government. I have a much broader canvas to work on because I am free to connect with leaders. It’s a very tough task, but along with other like-minded people, I hope to bring all Opposition parties on one platform. The other significant thing about being an independent member is that on every contentious issue, I can articulate my independent view. 

Well, first of all, I never asked for the Rajya Sabha seat from the Congress. They can check from the leadership of the party if I ever sought any sort of Rajya Sabha seat in the coming elections. Number two, I could have joined another party. I didn’t have to say that I would come to Parliament as an independent candidate. Of course, people have the right to criticise but I don’t think the leadership of the Congress party has made any such comment.

There is no parting because my ideology remains the same. It’s no parting at all. And I will continue to support the right causes of the Congress party and be an independent voice, if the causes are not right. That is true of all political parties. But you have formerly quit the Congress?

Yes, I did.

That’s entirely personal and I don’t want to air any public views on matters which are entirely personal. What happened in the past are not matters for public discourse.  Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he wanted a strong Opposition but the principal Opposition party, the Congress, seems to be hurtling from one crisis to another. If Modiji  means what he says, then he should walk the talk. I ask our Prime Minister why is it that every major political leader in this country is being targeted by the Central agencies? None in the BJP is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate [ED] or Income Tax or the CBI [Central Bureau of Investigation]. So when you say that you want to a strong Opposition, you must also not use your agencies for political motives, destabilise governments and destroy majorities by misusing the provisions of the 10th Schedule and the Governors. If you want a strong Opposition, you should not be capturing institutions through which only your narrative flows to the people of this country or corner 80-90% of your financial resources through electoral bonds. My only request to the Prime Minister is: if you genuinely want a strong Opposition, then be more democratic.

As far as the Congress is concerned, I don’t comment on the internal function of another party. That’s why I am an independent voice. Within the Congress, I could do what I did but outside, I will never say anything against the internal functioning of a political party. I have no ill feeling, enmity or rancour against the Congress party.