Lalit Modi visa row: BJP rejects Oppn demand for Swaraj, Raje's resignations

BJP has rejected opposition demand for resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over their role in helping tainted former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi in securing British travel documents. The party said the charges against them lack substance and the Congress is making mountain out of mole as it is not able to contest BJP on positive issues.

Briefing media in New Delhi today, party spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Vasundhara Raje has already clarified that she had family relations with Mr. Lalit Modi but the credibility of documents which are being shown against her is yet to be verified.

On reports that her son and MP Dushyant Singh's company received investments from Lalit Modi, Mr. Trivedi said there is nothing new in it as the BJP MP has already given such facts in his IT return and election affidavit. He said the allegations do not show any corruption and impropriety against both the leaders technical and legally.

"He also said there is no question of any inquiry against Ms Raje. In Sushma Swaraj case, Mr. Trivedi said she has already clarified that her help was on humanitarian grounds. Taking on the Congress, the BJP spokesperson said it was during UPA regime when former IPL Commissioner made money.

Meanwhile, Continuing its offensive against External Affairs Minister and Rajasthan Chief Minister, Congress today said the only way in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to save his government and the Monsoon session of Parliament is the resignation of Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje. Briefing media, senior leader Jairam Ramesh said Narendra Modi's silence on the issue is definite proof that BJP's topmost leadership has many things to hide.

The Congress spokesperson said the Prime Minister is afraid of taking action against Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje because it may bring his involvement to light. He said it is no longer an issue of impropriety alone as there seems to be a deep nexus among Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi, Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje. Mr Ramesh said a nexus has also been established by the documents between Lalit Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani.