This refers to the editorial, “Sushma makes her case” (August 8). External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has dramatically tugged at the heartstrings of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the rest of India, saying that she had stood by former Indian Premier league chief lalit Modi's wife as the latter was ill. She blamed unfavourable planetary formations for her current tribulations. Such an emotional defence does little to dispel the questions of impropriety and conflict of interest that surround her.
Ms Swaraj was carefully silent on key aspects of her conduct. That she has addressed an empty Opposition bench in the lok Sabha has only worsened her plight. Pitched between the Congress’s demand for resignation and the Government's offer of a discussion, the Minister's statement will not fetch her or the Government any political dividends. It is unlikely that the Opposition will buy her arguments or end their agitation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fast running out of options.