Here is a situation that the Congress would have been expected to pounce upon in its endeavour to take on the Narendra Modi government, especially as elections approach. A minister of the Modi regime is in deep trouble and his continuance in the post appears to be untenable. However, the principal opposition party is being extremely circumspect in its reactions.
In fact, the Congress is doing a tightrope walk on the issue, sensing that the M.J. Akbar issue is a double-edged sword, which could harm it as well.
Of prime concern is the possibility that allegations against Akbar could take the focus away from the issues that the Congress wants to highlight, which include alleged corruption in the Rafale deal, farmers' distress, unemployment and weakening economy.
The Congress's dilemma was evident at a press conference addressed by party president Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale issue on October 11. As anticipated by the Congress, questions were asked on the allegations of sexual harassment that have been levelled against Akbar. Gandhi refused to comment, saying the briefing was specifically on the Rafale deal. Gandhi said the MeToo campaign was a serious topic, and he would make a detailed comment on it later.
The next day, Gandhi did tweet on the allegations that have been tumbling out as part of the #MeToo campaign. But he did not make any mention of Akbar in it. “It is about time everyone learns to treat women with respect and dignity. I am glad the space for those who don't is closing. The truth needs to be told loud and clear in order to bring about change,” Gandhi tweeted.
The most strident reaction from the Congress has come from senior leader S. Jaipal Reddy, who, in response to questions on whether Akbar should be removed as minister in the wake of the allegations against him, said, “M.J. Akbar should either offer a satisfactory explanation or resign forthwith.”
A senior Congress leader said that the party will have to be cautious in the manner in which it deals with the allegations against Akbar, since it fears that political rivals could target its leaders, especially as election season is under way.
Akbar's Congress connection will also be pointed out to blunt the party's attacks, it is felt. Akbar, a journalist-turned-politician, was a Congress MP from Kishanganj, Bihar, from 1989 to 1991. Akbar was also the party's spokesman during that time.
Also, uncomfortable questions may be raised about Congress' own functionaries. At least two allegations of sexual harassment in the party have been in the news of late, one of them pertaining to charges levelled against NSUI president Fairoz Khan. Another relates to alleged misdemeanours of a member of the social media team of the party.
However, Congress leaders say that not taking a firm stand on Akbar could also have its political fallout, especially since the party is keen to counter the Modi government's thrust on women's issues in the run-up to elections.