As the logjam over lalit Modi and Vyapam controversy continued in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj clarified her position, saying charges against her were “baseless and false”. Also, she reiterated that she had not made any request to the British Government for issuing travel documents to lalit Modi.
But her clarification failed to convince the Congress members who raised slogans and even trooped into the Well of the House that witnessed repeated adjournments in the pre and post-lunch sessions with the main Opposition party questioning the Minister’s statement without notice and urged the Chair not to take cognisance of it.
There was such a bedlam that Swaraj managed to speak a few sentences but could not complete her statement as Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien adjourned the House till 12.00 pm at 11.20 am.
Also, the Minister said she had conveyed on “day one” through leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that she was ready to respond to all charges being made against her. She said for two weeks she was coming to the House every day in the hope of being able to make a statement and clarify on the issue.
Earlier, Anand Sharma (of the Congress) said the House was witnessing a “stalemate” because of the Government’s “arrogance.” He also said the Rajya Sabha cannot be in order unless Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified his stand on issues of fixing accountability and responsibility.
The post-lunch session saw a debate on procedures and was finally adjourned for the day as strong disagreement prevailed on the issue between the ruling and Opposition sides. Questioning the validity of the Minister’s clarification, Madhusudan Mistry (Congress) said the media was terming it as a statement but procedures required for making a statement were not followed.
He sought a ruling from the Chair and said Swaraj’s remarks should not be made part of the records of the proceedings of the House. Kurien said he will examine whether Swaraj had made a statement or if she was reacting to Sharma’s allegations.
Defending Swaraj, the FM then said if for two weeks “baseless allegations” were being made against the Minister, then “she certainly has a right to respond.” Not satisfied, Congress members pressed for their demand seeking a ruling with some of them moving in protest towards the Well, with some of them carrying placards asking the Prime Minister to “break his silence” and remove “tainted elements.”
Jaitley said if Swaraj’s statement is expunged from the records, all allegations against her made by the Opposition without the Chair’s permission should also be struck off. Kurien said though no permission for a statement was sought but asked why Swaraj could not reply to charges against her. He, however, added that Swaraj’s remarks could not be considered as a statement by a minister in the House.
CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury raised a point asking if a motion moved by a member could be made public by the leader of the House before it is admitted by the Chair. When he said the leader of the House had done so, Jaitley quoted rules to defend his stand and maintained there was no violation of norms.
JD(U) member KC Tyagi then stood up and said Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh had made “insensitive” statement by saying that farmers were committing suicides because of “failed affairs and impotency.”
He said the farmers’ sentiments were hurt and the Minister should be called to the House to explain. Naresh Agarwal (SP) also expressed similar views. All through this, Congress members continued with their protests on procedures related to Swaraj’s comments, shouting slogans in the Well, forcing the chair to adjourn the proceedings till Tuesday.