Sushma Swaraj should quit… did Narendra Modi help Lalit Modi: Congress

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said Swaraj’s intervention in the case of Lalit Modi, who is facing various investigations in India, was a “clear cut case of gross impropriety”. Rejecting Swaraj’s claim that she helped Modi on humanitarian grounds, he asked whether the government would extend help to Dawood Ibrahim if he sought assistance.

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“If Dawood Ibrahim wants help on humanitarian grounds, will they extend such help? Will the Prime Minister and his government continue to help all black money hoarders, illegal betters, match-fixers, money launderers and criminals on humanitarian grounds in future?” Surjewala asked.

“It is now established that Sushma Swaraj was helping a fugitive of law, a person against whom the Enforcement Directorate has issued a blue corner notice or a lookout circular for money laundering, for FEMA violations and other similar offences to the tune of Rs 700 crore,” he said.

“It also raises questions about the role of Prime Minister Modi himself… The needle of suspicion does not end with the documents establishing the complexity of the External Affairs Minister. The needle of suspicion in this case also lies at the doorstep (of the PM),” said Surjewala.

The Congress spokesperson also recalled that the UPA government had in 2013 asked the British government to act against Modi, who had made that country his base after fleeing India. CPM Politburo member Brinda Karat too called it a “case of grave impropriety”.

JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi said he “condemned the help given to him (Lalit Modi) by Swaraj”. CPI leader D Raja said the matter was serious because Swaraj has admitted to “helping” Lalit Modi who is wanted in the country for economic offences.

AAP spokesman Ashutosh said Swaraj has “no option but to resign” and if she does not, then the Prime Minister should sack her. However, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav said he found “little meaning” in the Congress’s allegation that Swaraj’s help to Modi was part of a quid pro quo, as he had helped her husband’s nephew get admission in a UK university. “She has been and is any day more influential than Lalit Modi. She does not need his help,” PTI quoted him as saying.

“Swaraj helping Lalit Modi to get a UK visa on humanitarian grounds is perfectly alright. What is wrong if a man is helped in getting visa for the treatment of his wife abroad?”, he was quoted as saying.