An ‘unrelenting’ Congress finally agreed on Wednesday to allow a debate on the Lalitgate controversy involving EAM Sushma Swaraj in response to government’s appeal to allow proceedings in Parliament as it attempted to push the Goods and Services Bill in Rajya Sabha. Importantly, only two days are left for the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament to conclude.
A combative Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj over the Lalit Modi scandal in Parliament. “I want to ask if Sushmaji carried out the request of Lalit Modi because of his wife’s treatment? How much money did Lalit Modi pay Sushma’s family to save himself?” he asked.
“The Congress party will not stop speaking. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he will bring back black money. Where is that black money? Lalit Modi is a symbol of black money in this country,” Rahul said. “But the PM’s motto is ‘Do not see, hear or speak the truth,” he continued.
“Mr Prime Minister, you need to speak,” Mr. Gandhi said, taunting PM Modi on his promise on getting back black money or untaxed money parked in foreign accounts. “Lalit Modi is nothing but a symbol of black money,” he said, straining to be heard above slogans and shouts from both sides.
To Ms Swaraj he said, “Why were you so discreet about helping Lalit Modi?”
Sushma Swaraj has been accused by the Congress of misusing her office to help Lalit Modi, wanted in India for financial crimes, to get urgent travel papers last year.
Rahul Gandhi has labelled that a “crime” and demanded that she resign, but not without explaining why she concealed her assistance to the billionaire in London and “how much money was deposited in the Swaraj family account.”
It is painful that ruling party cannot say anything. Parliament should be allowed to function. Cannot question Sushma Swaraj’s integrity. Feel sad that our minister was not even allowed to speak, said Venkaiah Naidu.
“Our PM is respected everywhere in the world not just in India,” he added.
“Rahul Gandhi is very fond of citing three monkeys but do not make monkey out of the nation. There are many honest people in this country whose children have to work for their living. But there are generations which has ruled the politics of this country and have lived without working,” said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
“We expected Congress to back their allegations with evidence. Government believes all allegations levelled by Kharge ji, Rahul Gandhi and others are baseless. Without an issue, you hold up Parliament, waste a session,” added Jaitley.
