‘When Congress calls, I’ll step in with family’s blessing’: Robert Vadra on political debut

NEW DELHI: Robert Vadra, who is married to Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has indicated his openness to entering politics, stating that he would do so with his family's support if the Congress party deems it appropriate.
Vadra indicated that should the Congress party request his political participation, he would agree, recognising the importance of additional parliamentary voices. "People always ask about me going to Parliament, let us see, I will be working hard, when the Congress would require, there would be blessing of my family, I would also be in the Parliament," he said in a statement to reporters.
He also acknowledged the significant influence of his family members, particularly his wife Priyanka and brother-in-law Rahul Gandhi, who are actively engaged in parliamentary activities. "I always said that I would like Priyanka to be in Parliament first, and now she is, and she's working very hard. I see how much I've learnt from her and from Rahul and everybody in the family," he also said.

Additionally in an interview with ANI, Vadra also explained that his political connections stem primarily from his ties to the Gandhi family. He mentioned that various political parties have frequently drawn him into political matters, often using his name as a diversion during electoral periods or other situations. "My association with politics is only because I am a member of the Gandhi family. But I will also say that in the last many years, many parties have used my name and always pulled me into politics by default because every time there's an election, they remember my name. Every time they have an issue that they want to digress from, they remember my name," Vadra stated, claiming that it has appeared to be politically motivated targeting.
In his interview, Vadra also talked about Mehul Choksi's recent arrest in Belgium, Vadra described it as significant for the nation whilst emphasising the importance of recovering misappropriated funds and compensating affected individuals.
"It is a very big thing for the country. Arresting is a different thing, but it is important that the money of the people who have been wronged should be recovered, and the government should think about it. Nirav Modi and other people should also be brought back, and the government should ensure that the losses of the people are taken care of," Vadra stated.
Mehul Choksi was apprehended in Belgium on Saturday following local authorities' confirmation of his presence. The 65-year-old fugitive diamond merchant, who departed India on January 2, 2018, faces investigations by the CBI and ED for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore, alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi.