NEW DELHI:Congress today demanded resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for her help to Indian fugitive Lalit Modi in getting British travel documents and dragged Prime Minister Narendra Modi into the raging row, saying “needle of suspicion rests” at his door.
The main opposition party also posed 11 questions to the Prime Minister, including “what happens to transparency and non-corruption promise” made by him and how the government would bring back black money if it “supports” such people who are accused of money laundering to the tune of Rs 700 crore.
“People are asking ‘is (PM Narendra) Modi helping (Lalit) Modi,” Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala told a press conference.
Rejecting Swaraj’s defence that she helped Lalit Modi on “humanitarian grounds”, Surjewala alleged quid-pro-quo, saying the former IPL Commissioner had helped her husband Swaraj Kaushal in securing admission for his nephew in a UK university in 2013 and he enjoyed proximity to BJP leaders, including its president Amit Shah.
The AICC Incharge of Communications Department also wondered if the government had come out with a policy to help criminals on humanitarian ground and if it would be extended to wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim too if he sought such a help.
“What we have witnessed today involves blatant quid pro quo, direct help to a fugitive from law, internecine warfare between the top echelons of government and unraveling of the nexus between BJP leadership and its crony criminal friends… Swaraj should immediately step down,” he said.
He sought to know if the Prime Minister was aware of Swaraj’s help to the former IPL chief and said he must come out with a statement to make facts clear.
“The role of the Prime Minister is under a cloud of suspicion as to whether there was a tacit endorsement of the action… The needle of suspicion rests at the door of the office of the Prime Minister,” he said.
Noting that Lalit Modi was wanted in cases involving money laundering of Rs 700 crore, he took a dig at the Prime Minister over his promise of bringing back black money.
“What happens to the transparency’ and no-corruption claims of the Prime Minister when it is apparent that his own government is actively helping a fugitive from Indian law accused of financial bungling and money laundering?,” he said.
The party also released several e-mails purportedly exchanged between Lalit Modi and British MP Keith Vaz over the issue.
In one mail, Vaz writes, “From the horses mouth! I will do a thank you we will need her again.” (AGENCIES)
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