Sushma Swaraj tweets: Ready for Lalitgate debate

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 21, 2015: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the primary target of a relentless opposition attack on the Lalit Modi controversy, on Tuesday said she is ready for a debate "today itself", an offer she said she has conveyed to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who has been fire-fighting on behalf of the government in Rajya Sabha.

"I am ready for a debate today itself. I asked Shri Arun Jaitley to convey this to Rajya Sabha," Sushma tweeted amid a series of disruptions and adjournments in Parliament over what has come to be known as Lalitgate. "The government is ready for a discussion in any format at any time," Jaitley said in the Upper House.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day while the Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice before lunch over the controversy. "We get a distinct and clear impression that the Opposition wants disturbance, they don’t want a discussion," Jaitley said even as a united opposition refused to relent.

Lalit Modi gatecrashes Parliament

As soon as the House assembled in the morning, the Congress members were on their feet targetting the government on the matter and raising questions over its probity. They reminded the ruling dispensation of the assurances given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.

Raising the matter soon after the obituary references, Anand Sharma (Congress) demanded a reply from the Prime Minister. He asked why the External Affairs Minister requested British government to issue travel documents to Lalit Modi within in two and half months of NDA coming to power. Sharma also raised the issue of the affidavit signed by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje favouring Lalit Modi.

"The Prime Minister had assured to ensure transparecy, accountability in governance and acting against those indulging in corrupt practices. Where is the probity left? You have violated the dignity," he said. Amid objections from the treasury benches to his remarks, Congress members trooped into the Well of the House and raising slogans for her removal.

Sharma also questioned the humanitarian grounds on which Britain was requested to issue the travel documents to Lalit Modi, alleging that the former IPL chief was travelling around the world as if on a pleasure trip and as a tourist. CPM leader Sitaram Yechury also urged the Chair to allow him and others to speak on the issue as Sharma has already been allowed.

 

Courtesy: Indiatoday