Dichotomy of Kapil Sibal: Attacks Ambani outside court, defends inside
What's the story
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal changed gears on Tuesday as he defended and attacked businessman Anil Ambani just minutes apart, prompting BJP to slam him.
Toeing the line of his party, Sibal tweeted Ambani knew details of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France in April 2015.
Soon, Sibal, also a senior lawyer, went to Supreme Court to defend Ambani.
Definitely a curious case!
Twitter Post
'Congress leader' Sibal attacks Ambani
It seems Airbus , French Government , Anil Ambani all knew that the PM will sign an MOU on his visit to France between 9th and 11th April , 2015 .
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) February 12, 2019
This Government’s lies exposed. pic.twitter.com/rJGNNycaRH
Lawyer
Minutes later, 'senior lawyer' Sibal defends Ambani
Ambani's Reliance Communication (RCom) was dragged to court by Erricson India over non-payment of dues to the tune of Rs. 550 crore.
Erricson India claimed Ambani violated two earlier orders of the apex court.
However, Sibal and Mukul Rohtagi, who represented Ambani, told the court contempt case shouldn't be initiated against him.
The court asked Ambani to be present on Wednesday.
Defense
Despite the obvious irony, Sibal feels he did nothing wrong
Though netizens were quick to point out the irony, Sibal didn't find anything odd.
"I was representing Reliance Communications against Ericsson and this has nothing to do with Rafale. This is a corporate fight and Anil Ambani is the MD. I have been appearing for them for 20 years," he said in his defense.
If this wasn't enough, Congress also played down his actions.
Quote
Sibal isn't confused about his stance, claims Congress spokesperson
"His political stand is clear: that there is corruption in Rafale deal and the PM is responsible for it with Ambani being its beneficiary. Sibal appeared in the other case in his professional capacity as a lawyer," said Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Congress' stand
On Tuesday, RaGa said PM Modi behaved as Ambani's 'middleman'
Notably, RaGa addressed a press conference at Congress office on Tuesday and claimed PM Modi behaved like a 'middleman' for Ambani.
Showing the e-mail (cited by Sibal in his tweet too), RaGa said Ambani knew PM Modi was slated to sign a MoU with France.
RaGa claimed Ambani met France's Defense Minister before the deal was inked and this breached Official Secrets Act.
Quote
"Ambani opened his company after France visit"
"The PM is the only other person who knows about this. In fact, Anil Ambani opened his company after this meeting. The PM is acting as Anil Ambani's middleman, it is in black-and-white for anyone who reads the email," RaGa said.
BJP's attack
BJP questions Sibal's 'proximity' to Ambani, says Congress is exposed
While RaGa continued with his blitzkrieg, Sibal's actions gave BJP an opportunity to settle the score.
Spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said Ambani's company didn't get any benefits under this government, but UPA is 'close' to him.
"They show some fake distance from that company but that stands exposed with Kapil Sibal openly backing that company in many cases," he said.
Embarassment
Sibal has a history of making Congress' position difficult
Notably, this isn't the first time Sibal's actions have left Congress red-faced. In 2015, while Congress slammed Trinamool Congress over the Saradha chit fund scam, Sibal filed a petition on West Bengal government's behalf in the top court.
Congress MP Adhir Chowdhury had said it was difficult to explain Sibal's action.
"He is an overrated professional and underrated political element," he had said.
CAG report
Meanwhile, CAG report underlines NDA struck a batter Rafale deal
Meanwhile, The CAG report on Capital Acquisitions in Indian Air Force was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday and it mentioned the much-talked-about Rafale deal.
The report noted NDA's deal was 2.86% cheaper than UPA's and despite India specific enhancements the country saved 17.08% money.
It also added in terms of delivery of the jets, NDA negotiated a better deal than its predecessor.