An interview with Robert Vadra, who is known in the country as the husband of Priyanka Gandhi, the courteously charming daughter of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, itself appears to be a surprise. While the daily published this unoccasioned interview as banner story in New Delhi and Mumbai editions, its other editions also carried the interview on front pages. And as if the six-column interview was not enough, the newspaper also said it will publish the “full” interview on October 21, 2010.
Nothing much has been written about Vadra, 41, in the press though his photographs do appear occasionally, accompanying his wife Priyanka. His such images present him as a very low-profile gentleman. Even Wikipedia does not mention him in more than few small paragraphs.
Interestingly, it was Times of India newspaper which had carried a notice by Vadra in 2002 wherein he had distanced himself from his father and brother, accusing them of misusing his name and proximity to the Gandhi family for favours. Outlook magazine had thereafter talked to Vadra about the notice and published an interview.
Vadra, a businessman, indeed has a fair name but the Times of India interview in which he has (now) been claimed to have said that he could win from anywhere is certainly a poor PR exercise and will be mocked at besides bringing the daily a bad reputation. And the trend seems to have begun too, as can be noticed in the comments that the newspaper website received over this interview.
लेखक नीरज भूषण टाइम्स आफ इंडिया, हिंदुस्तान टाइम्स, प्रेस ट्रस्ट आफ इंडिया जैसे बड़े बैनरों के साथ लंबे समय तक कार्यरत रहे हैं. कई न्यूज चैनलों के साथ भी जुड़े रहे. अन्याय के खिलाफ लड़ते रहने और बेबाक बोलने-लिखने की अपनी स्टाइल के कारण मुश्किल दिन बहुत देखे लेकिन कभी हार मानकर बैठे नहीं. वे इन दिनों विविध मीडिया माध्यमों के साथ जुड़कर स्वतंत्र पत्रकारिता व लेखन कर रहे हैं. उनका खुद का ब्लाग भी है जिस पर वे गाहे बगाहे मीडिया और समाज के हालात पर टिप्पणियां करते रहते हैं.
DEEPAK KUMAR
October 21, 2010 at 3:36 am
NIRAJ BHAIYA KE JAJBEY KO SALAAM.
amitabh
October 21, 2010 at 1:24 pm
margret thatcher ka pati bhi tha.firoj gandhi bhi the.robert ko kimat bhi chukani padti hai. bechara khada rehta hai patni ke pichche.itna to banata hai.jai son mata ki!!!!!
santosh kumar
October 21, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Robert Vadra ji election bhi lar lijeye sasu maan, saaleji aur biwiji to hain hi prachaar ke liye. jeet jayenge. Aur haan congresion ko gandhi-nehru parivaar ke alawa ek dusra pariwaar bhi mil jayega chaaplusi karne ke liye………..
xyz
October 21, 2010 at 3:26 pm
hasdsaddhd[quote][/quote]
jp gupta
October 21, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Absolutely correct Neeraj. Robert does not need such unceremonious coverage at this moment and in such a “Big” newspaper. What is the intention of the TOI and the mangers of Robert’s PR team is a matter worth investigation.
vandana sharma
October 21, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Absolutely right.Keep it up.
satish sharma
October 23, 2010 at 12:28 am
theek likha. newspaper wala to jaise buttering ker rha hai. readers par khabar ke roop me kuchh bhi thhop dena occupation k saath bhi gaddari hai.
Neeraj Bhushan
October 23, 2010 at 1:27 am
Here is what The Telegraph reported on the issue:
Congress tiptoes on Vadra claim
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi: The Congress leadership today refused to attach much significance to the views of Robert Vadra given in an interview to a newspaper, but the comments appear to have generated curiosity and surprise in the party at different levels.
Although some sections thought the “naïve” assertions — Priyanka Gandhi’s husband was quoted as saying he could win an election from anywhere — should not be taken seriously, several party leaders and workers expressed their disapproval.
Asked about Vadra’s claim, Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said: “Everybody has the freedom to express his view in this country.”
He replayed the reply to all related questions, suggesting the party wanted to neither endorse nor contradict Vadra’s views.
Most senior leaders avoided talking about the issue but many felt that Vadra’s views were not mature.
Vadra was quoted as saying “there was pressure on him” to contest the Sultanpur seat in the 2009 parliamentary elections but he opted out. The Sultanpur ticket was given to Sanjay Singh of Amethi’s royal family.
Some Congress leaders felt it would have been odd to allow a third family member to contest from the neighbouring Sultanpur when Sonia Gandhi was contesting from Rae Bareli and Rahul from Amethi.
A topic of cautious debate among Congress leaders was if Vadra’s views were endorsed by Priyanka. “If these were casual remarks of a person who does not understand the nuances of politics, it is fine. But everybody is required to exercise greater restraint in such a sensitive matter,” a seasoned politician said.