Varun Gandhi dragged into row

Disgraced former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on Wednesday sought to drag BJP leader Varun Gandhi in the Lalitgate controversy alleging that a deal was offered to settle matters with Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Lalit tweeted that Varun had offered to “settle” his issues with the Congress president and suggested that he should meet Sonia’s sister in Italy.

“Mr @varungandhi80 came to see me at my house a few years ago and said he can settle everything in @INCIndia with his aunt(Sonia). He wanted me to meet her sister from Italy. I heard him next I heard from our common friend who introduced us that Auntie wants $60 million. Told them ‘whaaaat are u nuts go HKG a kite’. Can he deny that. I hope he does (sic),” Modi alleged in a series of tweets.

Outrightly denying the allegation, Varun Gandhi told Deccan Herald, “How can I respond seriously to something so blatantly untrue and it is beneath my dignity to dwell deeper into this ridiculousness”.

The Congress too dismissed what it said were attempts to drag Sonia Gandhi into the controversy. It as a “diversionary tactics” to help “Bada (Narendra) Modi” whose government is in trouble over wrongdoings of a senior Union minister, the Congress said.
The BJP also threw its weight around Varun, arguing that it is for Sonia to respond to allegations made by the former cricket administrator.

“Varun Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are in different parties and the world knows about the ties between the two families… While Varun Gandhi has put across his point of view, Sonia Gandhi should answer on the allegations made by Lalit Modi,” BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

Lalit Modi fired more charges through his posts.

“Please Mr @varungandhi80 — let the world know what you told about what auntie wants — witness is our good friend world renowned astrologer… Please clarify @varungandhi80 did u or did u not come to my house in London. Whilst staying at the Ritz hotel in Lon(don) a few years ago — the auntie he refers to is #soniagandhi. The sister is #soniagandhi sister — just for clarity,” Lalit stated.

Congress chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said, “the ‘chhota Modi’ is helping ‘bada Modi’. He has become the ‘sankatmochak’ (trouble-shooter)... The ‘chhota Modi’ is acting at the instance of someone within the government and the BJP... These are preposterous allegations”.

The opposition party said that these tactics would not deter them from seeking resignation of Union minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje who are accused of helping the former IPL chief in procuring travel documents in London.