In a big political development, Youth Congress has expelled its legal head Aljo K Joseph shortly after he appeared for extradited AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case middleman Christian Michel in the Delhi Patiala House Court in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) spokesperson Amrish Ranjan Pandey said, “Aljo K Joseph appeared in his personal capacity. He didn’t consult Youth Congress before appearing in the case. IYC does NOT endorse such actions. IYC has removed Aljo Joseph from IYC’s Legal Department and expelled him from the party with immediate effect.”
Amrish Ranjan Pandey, IYC, Spox: Aljo K Joseph appeared in his personal capacity. He didn't consult Youth Congress before appearing in the case. IYC does NOT endorse such actions.IYC has removed Aljo Joseph from IYC’s Legal Dept&expelled him from the party with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/Vo5xJ5F8ok
— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2018
However, this sacking of Aljo K. Joseph seems nothing but an attempt to avoid a conflict of interest like situation since the Congress party’s politicians are also accused in the case, and one of its member appearing for the other accused- Christian Michel- would have given the impression that he is trying to save the head of the party and its bigwigs by defending Michel. This move, many believe, seems to be just public posturing to avoid hue and cry so that he continues to appear for Michel in his ‘personal capacity’, and provides feedback and strategically important messages about Christian Miche to his political bosses.
Earlier, Joseph appeared for Michel in front of special CBI judge Arvind Kumar and he also boldly confirmed his association with the Congress and also went to meet general secretary Deepak Babaria at the Congress Headquarters in Delhi after the court hearing.
#WATCH: Lawyer of #ChristianMichel, Aljo K Joseph meets Congress General Secretary Deepak Babaria at Congress Headquarters, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/qgCmzTg9ul
— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2018
As per ANI, Joseph said, “I’m an actively practicing advocate. I appeared for him (Christian Michel) in my professional capacity. If somebody asks me to appear on behalf of a client. I’ve only discharged my duty as a lawyer. It has nothing to do with the Congress.”
Lawyer of #ChristianMichel, Aljo K Joseph: I'm an actively practicing advocate. I appeared for him (#ChristianMichel) in my professional capacity. If somebody asks me to appear on behalf of a client…I've only discharged my duty as a lawyer. It has nothing to do with Congress. pic.twitter.com/9G06xcpPb0
— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2018
He also added, “My relation with the Congress is separate, my profession is separate. One of my friends, who was having some Dubai connections, through him the lawyer in Italy had requested it. So I was just helping in appearing and assisting him in this matter.”
Lawyer of #ChristianMichel, Aljo K Joseph: My relation with Congress is separate, my profession is separate. One of my friends, who was having some Dubai connections, through him the lawyer in Italy had requested it. So I was just helping in appearing&assisting him in this matter https://t.co/SSLOhQqQxF
— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2018
There are many shreds of evidence available which further cement the fact that Joseph is closely associated with the Congress.
Welcome Shri. Adv Aljo Joseph to the IYC family as the National In-charge of the Legal Department. We are certain that you will work with zeal and passion to fulfill Congress President Shri @RahulGandhi's vision and to strengthen IYC's legal team across India. pic.twitter.com/Y49ecjstYE
— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) July 29, 2018
There are several photographs of Joseph with the senior Congress leaders such as Kapil Sibal, Kamal Nath, Ahmed Patel, Salman Khurshid etc.
Source- opindia.com
Source- mynation
It’s clearly evident that Joseph had access to senior leaders of the Congress. Journalists of the Congress ecosystem are calling Joseph’s move to appear for Michel as a self-goal. However, erudite individuals think otherwise. According to Akhilesh Mishra, it is a well thought out strategy of the Gandhi family to send a message to Michel we are behind you so hold your horses and don’t open your mouth.
Contrary to spin by propagandists, masquerading as journalists, that Aljo K Joseph appearing for #ChristianMichel is a self goal, it actually is a calculated moved by Gandhi family. 1) To tell Michel that 'we' are behind move, so hold on. 2) Message to judiciary, prosecution etc.
— Akhilesh Mishra (मोदी का परिवार) (@amishra77) December 5, 2018
Journalists have also played a significant role in the AgustaWestland scam. Christian Michel had spent around 48 crores for managing the Indian media. He paid Indian media to write all good and positive things about AugustaWestland & parent Finmeccanica during 2010-12.
#AgustaPatrakars — journalists paid from #ChristianMichel’s Rs 48 crore PR budget to write nice things about #AgustaWestland & parent #Finmeccanica during 2010-12 — will be less than delighted at Michel’s extradition. Check out those adulatory stories on Agusta VVIP choppers… https://t.co/W4H4XuOUka
— Minhaz Merchant (@MinhazMerchant) December 5, 2018
Christian Michel knows too much. Among the major revelations that are expected from the interrogation of Michel by the agencies includes the name of certain journalists and media houses that played a significant role in the scam.
