Courting Politics

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.

Extract from the Foreword

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 yester years.

- Fali S. Nariman

Quotes

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. Her accounts of the lives of these nine men are incisive and engaging.

- 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

Media Coverage

'Courting Politics,' documents the lives of nine lawyer-politicians.The launch was followed by a panel discussion where the speakers, mostly lawyers-turned-politicians raised issues of law and politics.

- India Today

During the discussion panelists also presented their views on the role of courts...

- The Economic Times

The inauguration of the book saw many legal luminaries in attendance including Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad who said it was not easy being a lawyer and a politician at the same time.

- FirstPost

With lawyers making their mark in politics,a new book sketches the biography of nine such politicians. They have been trailblazers in their own right, the author informs.

- The Statesman

Arun Jaitley tells Shweta Bansal that the Emergency was the best political education of his life and taught him that some compromises were just not possible.Edited excerpt.

- The Pioneer

The book is divided into nine chapters; each dedicated to a dignitary and discussing the journey of the protagonist highlighting the ups and downs in their professional and personal lives.

- Sakal Times, Pune

One of the most fascinating books I have read in recent times.

- Shereen Bhan

An engaging narrative of these distinguished personalities who are now much sought after for their acumen and expertise.

- Millennium Post

'Courting Politics' a much-needed ode to 9 lawyer-politicians - serves as an invaluable chronicle of the journey of these nine individuals in the post-emergency (1975-77) years with today's day and age marking a watershed in their lives.

- The People Post

Table of Contents:

1. The Daredevil RAM JETHMALANI
2. The Lawyer of Emerging India SHANTI BHUSHAN
3. The Reformer-in-Chief PALANIAPPAN CHIDAMBARAM
4. The Gentleman MUZAFFAR HUSSAIN BAIG
5. The Artiste KAPIL SIBAL
6. The Man for all Seasons ARUN JAITLEY
7. The Debonair Man SALMAN KHURSHID
8. The Lawyer of Lord Rama RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD
9. The Ultimate Multitasker ABHISHEK MANU SINGHVI