It is difficult to view the raids on former Union finance minister P Chidambaram and RJD boss Lalu Prasad Yadav only through the prism of corruption and irregularity. Despite the bold statement made by the BJP government that the ‘day of accountability’ had arrived, there is a political angle to the raids which is difficult to ignore. While Yadav is an ally of Nitish Kumar in Bihar and together they keep the government alive, Chidambaram is a Congress leader. The fact that two opposition leaders were selected for raids raises a few questions. On the other hand, if irregularities have been committed then they have to be exposed. The charge against Karti Chidambaram is, irregularities in FDI approval given to INX Media. The CBI claims that more than Rs 3.6 crore was paid by INX and the approval was cleared by the father. Lalu’s daughter faces the charge of using a front company, KHK Holdings, to buy a 2.8 acre farm house. Land deals done by his sons and daughters are also under scrutiny. Those who have misused their positions to create wealth need to face the law, but in the case of Chidambaram at least, income tax authorities and the CBI will have to produce some proof to show that the raids were not politically motivated.
