Debate Lalitgate right now, says Sushma Swaraj; PM should be present, counters Congress

New Delhi: Signs of a thaw emerged in Lok Sabha with the government accepting Opposition demand to discuss an adjournment motion on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s alleged role in Lalit Modi controversy.

As the Opposition began their protests, Swaraj requested the Speaker to accept the notice of adjournment motion given by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge that was related to her. Making an earnest appeal, Swaraj said the adjournment motion should be “accepted as it is”.

Swaraj herself requested Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to accept the Opposition demand soon after the House assembled for the day, the penultimate day of the Monsoon Session which has remained stalled over Congress protests on the Lalit Modi and Vyapam issues.

“All that I ask is that they (Congress MPs) return to their seats,” Swaraj shouted over the din.

Let only the Opposition participate in the debate and no one from the government would be part of it, she said.

“My only request is that the Opposition should be present in the House when I give the reply,” Swaraj said.

The External Affairs Minister’s request prompted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu to tell the House that the government was ready to discuss the issue under an adjournment motion, a matter which was not acceptable to it so far.

However, Kharge insisted that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be present during the debate and should reply.

How can action be taken against the Minister without the Prime Minister being present and answering to the debate, he wondered.

PTI