Sonia Gandhi addresses the media. She says, “I never had any doubt that truth will prevail”. She also said that the current government is making use of state agencies to target the opposition.
We are clear about the allegations leveled by our political opponents. This has been happening for a very long time but they will never be able to win.Sonia Gandhi, Congress President
Following Sonia, party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi addresses the media. He begins with snubbing the prime minister.
“PM Modi is in the habit of levelling false allegations against us. But he will not succeed in silencing us.” Rahul says he and the Congress party will not give in.
After Sonia and Rahul, former PM Manmohan Singh also speaks with the media and says,
We will put up a determined fight because we stand for certain values, certain ideas and certain ideals.
Don’t Need Anyone’s Support: Swamy
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi arrive at the AICC headquarters to address the media.
Meanwhile, Subramanian Swamy tells CNN-IBN that he has friends all over the country: the government and the bureaucracy but he does not need anyone to support him.
I meet people at ministries and even the prime minister. No one has asked us go slow. Congressmen can be purchased. I am a sanyasi, I need nothing but dakshina.Subramanian Swamy, BJP leader and Petitioner in National Herald Case
Subramanian Swamy tells CNN-IBN’s Bhupendra Chaubey:
“The main thing is that the maximum I could have got, is to get them [Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi] to deposit their passports. The judge made the remark that they are responsible people…I did say they have a habit of disappearing from the country. The judge and the court laughed. Kapil Sibal jokingly said that there won’t be a problem.”
Congress leader Kapil Sibal says to CNN-IBN that they haven’t yet sought exemption for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi from appearing personally in court.
Next Hearing on 20 February
Kapil Sibal, counsel for the Gandhis said, “Dr Swamy argued that there must be a restriction on travel of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi but that was rejected by the judge”.
When Subramanian Swamy asked for travel restrictions, the judge responded said they are reputed persons with deep political grassroots and they wouldn’t flee.
The next hearing, Sibal said, will be at 2pm on February 20 and that they have not yet asked for any exemptions.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi says,
It is unfortunate that Dr Swamy has asked for passport restrictions but the judge decline it. Sam Pitroda was exempted from appearance. Every other accused has been granted bail.
AK Antony signed the surety for Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka signed for Rahul Gandhi.
Ajay Maken took surety for Motilal Vora and Mallikarjun Kharge took surety for Suman Dubey.
Ghulam Nabi Azad took surety for Oscar Fernandes.