Courting Politics chronicles inspiring life stories of nine eminent lawyers turned politicians. The book is an engaging narrative of these distinguished personalities who are now much-sought-after for their acumen and expertise. They are noted lawyers who have also dominated the political arena by sheer hard work and perseverance. They have played a key role in the seminal cases of our time, shaped the opinion of government, the judiciary, and the public.
Their fascinating stories are captivating, enlightening and informative.The contribution of these men have strongly influenced both law and politics, remarkably altering the legal – political history of India.
Shweta Bansal in her debut book has excellently written and handled in crisp and eloquent manner the achievements of these great men.
I salute the author for exposing in hard print the achievements of these nine men. They shine, because they deserve to shine. But Shweta Bansal is pessimistic of the times we live in. Rightly so. “As things stand today”, she says in the Introduction, “the nation State in India and its Constitution are locked in an uneasy relationship.”
For 35 years since the lifting of the Internal Emergency (June 1975 to March 1977) lawyer-politicians in India (and there were many) had no qualms of conscience about their loyalties. During this period a lawyer Member of Parliament could truthfully say he was loyal to Parliament as well as to the Courts. No longer. With the re-emergence, after over three decades, of a super-majoritarian government (as there had once been in the 1970s) the lull is broken. Each of these nine men must now make a choice and it is a dilemma that they face – a dilemma that did not trouble the lawyer-politicians of yesteryears.
– Extract from the Foreword by Fali S. Nariman
“Courting Politics is a vivid account of the Emergency and Post-Emergency period where the lawyers displayed their true colours in either supporting it or opposing it. Shweta has done an excellent job in bringing out the ethos and atmosphere of those times and beyond.”
– Soli Sorabjee
“Shweta Bansal’s Courting Politics provides a unique insight into the lives and minds of leaders in the fields of law and politics in India, with an engaging narrative of their triumphs as well as their setbacks and the lessons these hold for all of us. Using crisp and fluid prose, her stories of perseverance and dedication are an inspiring read.”
– Shashi Tharoor
“Tracing the history of lawyers in politics is a great idea which Shweta looks at with an acute eye. Her book seeks to answer an important question: why do lawyers often dip their feet in politics. From the rumbustious Ram Jethmalani to the more sophisticated Arun Jaitley, there isn’t a lawyer ‘type’ that defines a successful politician. It’s in the sheer variety of characters that lies the charm of a book like this.”
– Rajdeep Sardesai
“Profiles of these prominent lawyers would make readers realise the extent to which lawyers affect policy making in India – either as legislators in Parliament or as advocates in a court of law.”
– Business Standard
Pre-order your copy here
The contribution of these men have strongly influenced both law and politics, remarkably altering the legal – political history of India.
The book is an engaging narrative of these distinguished