Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said Rahul Gandhi must apologise for comments on Sushma Swaraj
Rahul Gandhi must apologise for saying that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj had committed a "criminal act", the ruling BJP said today.
"Congress leader Rahul Gandhi used the word 'criminal' related with our leader and foreign minister...it is very unfortunate. He has defamed not only the foreign minister but the country. He must apologise or we will have to file a criminal defamation case," Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said.
On Thursday, Rahul Gandhi had defended his party's decision to block Parliament from functioning over scandals linked to BJP leaders and said: "What we have said is that (there will be) no discussion without resignation. Sushma Swaraj has done a criminal act. He (Lalit Modi) is a fugitive."
Sushma Swaraj has been attacked by the Congress and other opposition parties for helping tainted cricket boss Lalit Modi get travel documents in Britain, where he now lives. Mr Modi is wanted in India in corruption cases linked to the Indian Premier League or IPL he created.
The government has said it is willing to debate what is being called 'Lalitgate' with the opposition, but has rejected calls for the resignations of Ms Swaraj and those of Chief Ministers Vasundhara Raje, also for the Lalit Modi scandal, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the Vyapam recruitment scam.
Protests and bitter exchanges in Parliament have washed out the first week of the monsoon session. Crucial legislation, including the major tax reform of the National Goods and Sales Tax, are pending.
"Our advice to the PM is this - your credibility is being eroded, listen to the people's concern. Answer them by speaking on the controversies," said Mr Gandhi, who led the campaign for the Congress in last year's election as the party collected its worst-ever result.
Ms Swaraj has said she is keen to make a statement on her help to Lalit Modi, but opposition protests have prevented any discussion.