3. Vadra's marriage to Priyanka had surprised many not only because of the layers of secrecy that have surrounded the family, but also because many did not see much in common between the two. A friend of Priyanka had once described Robert Vadra as a ‘puppy.'
In the first edition of the book Sonia Gandhi, the book written by noted journalist Rashid Kidwai, it is mentioned that five years after the Robert-Priyanka marriage, Sonia had to caution party leaders not to have anything to do with ‘close relatives of Robert Vadra'. Sonia Gandhi's directive came after Vadra had issued a public notice severing ties with his family.
That notice, drafted by Arun Bhardwaj, son of former Law Minister Hans Raj Bhardwaj read: ‘It has been brought to the notice of my client that some persons including Rajindra Vadra (Robert's father, now dead) resident of C-7, Amar Colony and Richard Vadra, resident of Basant Vihar Colony, Civil Lines, Moradabad, UP, are misrepresenting to the public that they are working on behalf of my client and allegedly promising jobs and other favours in return for money. Even though Rajindra Vadra and Richard Vadra are relatives of my client they have no access to my client. Public at large is hereby put to notice that my client has not authorised Rajindra Vadra and Richard Vadra and anyone else to work for him or to use his name in any manner and make such misrepresentations to anybody. Such misrepresentations are without the knowledge and consent of my client.'
