Sushma denies all link to 'Lalitgate' in RS

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday broke her silence in the Rajya Sabha, firmly denying any link to “Lalitgate”.

This triggered a fresh row, with the Congress claiming it was not an “official” statement as she spoke without the Chair's permission.

Amidst vociferous protests by the Congress, the minister,  who the Opposition party claims reportedly extended a helping hand to tainted Indian Premiere League ex-commissioner Lalit Modi, said: “I did not request the British government for travel documents of Lalit Modi. Allegations against me are baseless and unfounded.”

As the Opposition complained to the Rajya Sabha chairperson in this regard, an exasperated Leader of the House Arun Jaitley asked Deputy Chairperson P J Kurien to remove from record all speeches made by Opposition leaders without prior permission from the chair.

Kurien later ruled what Swaraj's spoke was not an official statement, but only a response to the allegations levelled against her by Congress leader Anand Sharma. No rule was breached and she was within her rights to reply.

Swaraj said she had conveyed through Jaitley on Day One that she was ready to respond to all charges, but the Congress was not allowing a discussion. The minister said she was coming to the House for the past seven-eight days hoping to make a statement.
While Swaraj was clearly in a mood to speak, Congress members trooped to the Well protesting against the Narendra Modi government, compelling Kurien to adjourn the House. Sharma said the House had been in a stalemate because of the government's arrogance and order would not be restored unless the prime minister responded, fixing accountability and responsibility. Kurien shot back: “Unless you start the discussion, the prime minister cannot respond.”

The moment was seized upon by Jaitley, who said if Sharma was unwilling to initiate a discussion, Swaraj would make a statement on her own to start the discussion, providing the floor to the beleaguered minister.