Raje's crisis subsides for now

The Government seems to have made up its mind not to succumb to the Opposition’s pressure that has been demanding the resignation of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for their alleged links with former IPl commissioner and disgraced cricket tycoon lalit Modi

Also, Rajasthan BJP president Ashok Parnami has laid to rest the reports about a signature campaign by Raje to demonstrate backing of 120 MlAs saying that it was a false report. In a statement, a CMO spokesperson said the CM holds “jansunwai” (public hearing) at her residence every Friday, and for this many MlAs come with the people of their constituency for putting forward their problems and demands. “The news of signature by 120 MlAs (in her support) is completely wrong. It is not fair to link public hearing with a different view,” he said.

After fresh revelation that Raje indeed signed on the witness statement in favour of lalit Modi’s immigration case, the Government sources indicated on Friday that “nothing has changed” and there was no question of removing either of the two leaders.The Government came out with this source-based assertion even though the Congress had made it clear it would disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament if the two leaders were not given the marching orders for helping lalit Modi, who is facing 15 cases of FERA violation.

The BJP also openly supported the two Ministers and said there is no question of their resignation. “The BJP fully supports Raje, who is our tallest leader in Rajasthan. The Congress is targeting our popular leaders and we stand by her,” said party’s national secretary Shrikant Sharma.Sharma’s assertion came after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaitley, who on Thursday, said “nobody is tainted,” is understood to have discussed various aspects of the raging controversy, including the legal implications and the political fallout.

The FM later had a meeting with BJP president Amit Shah and is believed to have deliberated upon the party’s strategy to brazen out the massive row involving Raje as well as Swaraj.However,  while maintaining  that there were no substantial “technical or legal points” going against Raje and Swaraj, a senior BJP  leader  admitted that “political cost of the controversy need to be evaluated” by both the party and the Government.  “Image of the Government must not be allowed to be dented”, he said.   

But troubles for the beleaguered CM, however, seemed to be rising with the disclosure that she was the beneficiary of investments of over `11 crore made by lalit Modi in her son’s company at a high premium.