File photo of Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi
Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, today offered no apologies as he responded to a notice from Parliament on a Facebook post seen to be critical of the ruling BJP.
In a three-page letter, Mr Vadra has reportedly invoked his "fundamental right to expression", adding that as a citizen of India "I have high respect for Parliament and don't have any disrespect to the house."
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan will now decide whether to refer a BJP complaint against Mr Vadra to the privilege committee or close the matter.
The Lok Sabha secretariat had given Mr Vadra seven days to explain after BJP MPs moved a privilege motion against the businessman for "attempting to malign the image of Parliament."
BJP lawmakers called for action against Mr Vadra for posting on Facebook: "Parliament begins and so do their petty diversion political tactics... People of India are not fooled. Regret to see India Led by such so called leaders !!"
Mr Vadra, who has been targeted by the BJP over controversial land deals that allegedly led to windfall gains for his company, wrote the post after disruptions in Parliament on the first day of the monsoon session on Tuesday last. As Congress and other opposition parties demanded the removal of BJP leaders caught in the Lalit Modi and Vyapam scandals, the ruling party lawmakers hit back with references to Mr Vadra.
A privilege motion moved by Arjun Ram Meghwal, the BJP's chief whip in the Lok Sabha, alleged that Mr Vadra's Facebook post amounted to "contempt" and a "clear cut case of breach of privilege" and should be referred to the privileges committee for "appropriate decision."