National herald row: Sonia, Rahul should behave like common citizens, says BJP

Ballia, Dec 10: Attacking Congress for stalling Parliament over court summons to party leaders in the National Herald case, BJP spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain said there is not a separate law for Sonia and Rahul Gandhi and asked them to behave like common citizens of the country.

"All citizens of the country have equal rights...only summons have been issued...both Sonia and Rahul should behave like common citizens...they have big lawyers and should put their view point before the court," Hussain told newspersons here last night. "

Sonia and Rahul Gandhi do not have a separate law for themselves under the Constitution," he said, adding, they should not hold Parliament to ransom for the summons.

The BJP spokesman asked Congress to allow Parliament to function normally and allow passage of important bills. Rejecting Congress's charge of double standards and vendetta, Hussain said the matter does not concern an official or ministry.

Instead of hampering the Parliament, Congress should allow a debate in the House and "we will tell what they have done," he said, adding, Rahul Gandhi is not able to accept a duly elected government and prime minister.

To a question on why the government is not taking action on the National Herald issue or against Sonia's son-in-law Robert Vadra, he said the matter is in court and law will take its course.

On External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Pakisatan, Hussain said Afghanistan is a friend of India and she has gone there to take part in a meeting in that country.

"Our External Affairs Minister has gone to Pakistan and she has forcefully raised her voice against terrorism," he said, claiming her visit has diffused some tension in the ties between the two countries.

PTI