New Delhi:
When the debate in Parliament on controversial cricket tycoon Lalit Modi finally began, it did not fail the expectation that it would be loaded with political sniping. Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has been accused by the Congress of misusing her office to help Lalit Modi, wanted in India for financial crimes, to get urgent travel papers last year.
Labeling that a "crime", Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has demanded that Ms Swaraj resign, but not without explaining why she concealed her assistance to the billionaire in London and "how much money was deposited in the Swaraj family account."
Ms Swaraj got her own back today. In Parliament, she said to Mr Gandhi, who infamously took a two-month sabbatical during an earlier Parliament session this year, "Since you like holidaying so much, next time you take a break, I suggest you read up on your family history, read all the
kale karname (wrong deeds) and ask, 'momma, how much money did we make in the Quattrocchi case, why did we let (1984 Bhopal gas tragedy accused) Warren Anderson go? Why the quid pro quo?'"
Ms Swaraj's caustic rebuttal invoked the infamous Bofors controversy of the 80s, which embroiled Mr Gandhi's father, Rajiv, who was then Prime Minister. The scandal was based on allegation that Swedish defence manufacturer Bofors paid huge kickbacks to Rajiv Gandhi and others for the sale of an artillery gun to India. In 2004, a court in Delhi said there was no evidence that Rajiv Gandhi had accepted bribes. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in 1991.
Ms Swaraj's aid to Lalit Modi's wife has left this session of Parliament paralysed, with the Congress refusing to end daily disruptions till she is removed as Foreign Minister for illicitly helping a "fugitive."