Former Union law minister and Karnataka governor Hansraj Bhardwaj is no stranger to controversies. But the Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist has taken everybody by surprise with his attack on Congressmen, for what he sees as their role in the party’s recent electoral debacles. In an interview with Mihir Srivastava, Bhardwaj says he is no longer a party man and takes down his former colleagues and compatriots. Excerpts:
You have been talking to the media about the dismal state of affairs that exists in the Congress, now that their chips are down.
Am I responsible for the Congress’s low ebb? My association with the Nehru-Gandhi family is longer, before many of these politicians were even born. I have accompanied Indiraji, Sanjay, Rajiv, Soniaji and Rahul when they filed their nominations. I associated with Indiraji during the Congress split in 1969 as a young lawyer who defended her in cases related to the split of the Congress. Rajiv Gandhi trusted me. ‘You are my legal guard,’ he would tell me.
Yet now you feel ignored by the party high command.
The day I became governor of Karnataka, I ceased to be a party member. I would just meet the President and the prime minister when I would visit Delhi. I have not seen Soniaji for years. She just visited Karnataka twice when I was governor.
You blame her for the crisis in the Congress.
I am not a sycophant. I have great regard for the Nehru-Gandhi family and my loyalty rests with them. I am not happy with the party’s debacle. Corruption is an issue. Soniaji is surrounded by sycophants. People cannot tolerate corruption. India Against Corruption campaign did so well. The Congress government handled it so badly. The (Delhi) Police lathicharged Anna and Ramdev. It was a mistake.
You seem to be saying what Rahul Gandhi is demanding—change of the old guard. The buzz is that Rahul want Ahmed Patels and Janardan Dwivedis out of the party.
Where is Rahul? In public life you don’t take holidays, one or two days at the most. I have never interacted with him one on one.... When I accompanied him to file his nomination from Amethi the first time, like I accompanied his father, I became emotional. I thought he’s Rajiv. They look very similar.
Where are the leaders? Are Ahmed Patel or Dwivedi leaders? People around Sonia were insecure and jealous of my proximity with the family. I enjoyed her confidence. Patel didn’t like it. They poisoned Soniaji’s mind against me. I left because Soniaji wanted it. As far as Ahmed Patel is concerned, he would seek an appointment to see me. He would call my secretary. He was not allowed to walk into my house.
So it’s time for change? Bye bye to the old guard?
All young Congress leaders with Sanjay (Gandhi) later became cabinet ministers. Pranab and Antony carried on for a long time. Rajiv had a new team. Like Arun Nehru, I was part of it. We became MPs the same year, in 1982. Now people around Sonia have captured the party like a railway compartment. They are responsible for the debacle in the recent elections.
Has Sonia Gandhi ever called you and asked you to stop the diatribe against the party?
She hasn’t called me. I have great respect for her and family and am loyal to her, Rahul and Priyanka. She is the Congress president. It is her responsibility to lead it. There are some people who have taken over the party. Priyanka joining politics will make Congress strong.
Do you see a role for yourself in the party now?
I am practising law. I have no intention to join active politics. I am not a party member. They won’t even let me enrol.
Congressmen say that instead of you lending support to the party you are washing dirty linen in public.
What should I support? Which Congressman will tell me (what to do)? They are kids in front of me. Are they thekedaars of the party? I am concerned. What are the real reasons for the party’s debacle? They don’t have a single seat in the Delhi Assembly. Somebody has to answer.
Manmohan Singh was safe when you were his law minister.
(Laughs) UPA-I was a success story. I am very clear about what is permissible legally. I have the experience of being law minister in three governments. The PM should have a free hand in cabinet building as he has to work with them. Manmohan was badly briefed on the Lokpal Bill. Drafting of the bill or work of the government cannot be outsourced to private persons.
UPA-II was run by Ambani and others. Now they have deserted you. What are you left with?
Now, Manmohan Singh has been summoned (the SC stayed the summons on April 1) as an accused in the coal scam....
He is a decent person. He’s not corrupt.
Did you as law minister draft or vouch affidavits by the CBI to be presented before the apex court in a sealed envelope in a matter where the government’s role was in question?
The CBI has law officers.... It’s a police of the Centre. They have freedom to investigate, I’ve never interfered with their investigations.
Was the anti-defection law your brainchild?
No. It was Rajiv Gandhi’s idea.
Whose brainchild was Section 66A of the Information Technology Act?
The concept paper was prepared by the IT ministry under the concerned minister (A. Raja of the DMK). The cabinet collectively approved it and it was passed by Parliament. All its critics were supporting it then.
You have named Chidambaram in an interview.
Chidambaram was the guide and philosopher at that time. I don’t think he has an independent existence as a politician without the support of the DMK in Tamil Nadu. Jayalalitha hates him.
It’s said that as Union law minister, you dealt with the judiciary the best.
Judiciary is a powerful wing of the state. The power of judicial review is tremendous. The judiciary is not as helpless as it used to be. Administrative actions are under judicial review. The judiciary has to be impartial and independent, yet the government can function without much interference. I have never let the government do things that are legally and constitutionally impermissible.
