Youth Congress members protest against union minister Sushma Swaraj outside her residence in New Delhi on Monday (Press Trust of India)
A snowballing controversy over Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj helping controversial former Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi gain emergency travel papers in Britain saw the opposition targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi should sack Sushma Swaraj, he shouldn't protect Lalit Modi
Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice president
There's a possibility that she's being targeted because there have been instances in the past when Ministers have been cut to size. We want the Minister, who is also a leader of tall stature, to come forward and clarify as to who all were involved in decision making.
Kumar Vishwas, AAP leader
In the interest of transparency, Government of India should release the letters written to the UK Chancellor on the Lalit Modi case.
P Chidambaram, Congress leader
What is clear from the support (to Swaraj) extended by the government, party (BJP) and RSS that they will help their own even if a crime has been committed. The whole government is in the dock. The way it had defended (her) means there is no reason to believe that it was not aware of the matter.
Nitish Kumar, Bihar Chief Minister
The way the External Affairs Ministry had performed under Swaraj, it has become a strong pillar of the Modi government. She is being targeted to weaken the government and destabilise it.
Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena
There are circumstances which establish contact between Sushma Swaraj and Lalit Modi. As a quid pro quo, Sushma Swaraj has done favour to a tainted person who is accused of Rs 700 crore money laundering, tax evasion and several other charges.
PL Punia, Congress spokesperson
First of all, there are very serious charges raised against the External Affairs Minister. But the Prime Minister has been quiet and silent. We are asking the Prime Minister to tell us how this is going to be addressed... So, in this situation, the Prime Minister, whose prerogative it is to keep whomever he wishes in the Council (of Ministers), has to answer this.
Sitaram Yechury, CPI (M) General Secretary
Swaraj should not have had intervened in the matter and now she must own up to having done something "improper" in her capacity as a minister.
Saugata Roy, Trinamool Congress leader
The documents point to not only the involvement of the External Affairs Minister, but the entire BJP government is involved in helping a blacklisted person.
Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress leader
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