Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said she is ready for a debate on the Lalit Modi controversy
Asserting that she is ready "this very minute", Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Opposition Congress to begin a debate on the controversy that has left parliament paralysed - her assistance that allowed tainted cricket tycoon Lalit Modi to travel from the UK to Portugal last year for his wife's cancer treatment.
"Call it Lalitgate, Modigate, whatever, the discussion must happen," the Foreign Minister said, ignoring the objections of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who objected to the "Modigate" moniker used by the Congress.
Parliament's Monsoon Session ends tomorrow; the Congress ensured no business was transacted, demanding Ms Swaraj's removal as a prerequisite to allowing the House to function. That strategy has stalled key legislation including the landmark GST tax reform. With other parties indicating it may have gone too far, and Ms Swaraj signaling her readiness to answer charges, the Congress abandoned its "no resignation, no debate" policy.
Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress said that the Foreign Minister must resign immediately, alleging that she tried to conceal her wrongdoing in assisting Lalit Modi. Why didn't she declare that she had reversed the earlier govenrment's stand by informing UK officials that if the disgraced tycoon were allowed to accompany his wife to Portugal, relations with India would not be damaged.
"I repeat I made no mistake," the minister said, as opposition leader shouted slogans, making it tough for her explanation to be heard. "You have raised questions, now you must hear her answers," said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
Ms Swaraj said last week that her conversation with UK officials sought to help Lalit Modi's sick wife, who she described as a cancer patient who has broken no laws.