Do we need a Vishwajit Rane to tell us that Manohar Parrikar has all the inside information of the Rafale deal? It’s obvious that Parrikar in his capacity as defence minister could have been privy to crucial and sensitive files of the aircraft deal. And if at all Parrikar is holding his central leadership to ransom with this, it is BJP’s internal matter and an altogether different story.
An audio tape which Congress promised to expose the BJP ended up a damp squib. The Congress Party on Wednesday went to town with a 1.28-minute long audio tape purportedly of Health Minister Vishwajit Rane talking to an unidentified journalist about how Manohar Parrikar spoke at one cabinet meeting that Rafale deal files are inside his bedroom. The voice in the audio speaks of how Parrikar is holding the Central leadership to ransom because of the Rafale files which are in his possession.
The veracity of the tape is under question and with Congress President Rahul Gandhi refusing to authenticate the audio clip, the entire debate fell flat. The only point of contention here is why has the government not taken any initiative of verifying the tape? There are several questions that come to the fore. Can this tape be treated as incriminating evidence even if verified? Even if the voice is verified to be that of Vishwajit, where does this debate go when the chief minister has outrightly rejected any such conversation with his cabinet colleagues?
The panic back home is palpable. The tape has caused huge embarrassment to the BJP. Every Goan would be familiar with the voice on record, questions of it being doctored is another issue. Vishwajit was quick to write to the chief minister denying any conversation on those lines and seeking action against those involved in what he called a ‘doctored’ tape. The CM too was prompt to thrash the development saying he never had any conversation with his cabinet colleagues on these lines.
“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party” is a phrase first proposed as a typing drill by instructor Charles E. Weller as recounted in his book The Early History of the Typewriter. At the face of it at least, the BJP has come to the aid of Vishwajit, backing him to the hilt. However, for a minister who has jumped the Congress ship to embrace the BJP and eye the leadership rungs of the government, this would be major blow and could even mean curtains down on his cherished dream.
What is Congress’ gain then? It has managed to put BJP in a spot of bother in Goa and secondly it has provided a golden chance for Jr Rane to be a hero again. With a wave of resentment building up, Vishwajit could use this opportunity to return to the Congress as a prodigal son, and that too with full honours. With a struggling Congress failing to find its rhythm even against a feeble dispensation, this could be the moment the Party was waiting for.
This is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests, so goes the saying by William Clay. Only time will tell where Vishwajit’s interests lie.
