Modigate: clamour for SIT probe gets louder

The clamour for a Supreme Court monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the connections of senior BJP leaders with controversial businessman Lalit Modi got louder on Wednesday as more opposition parties supported the Congress’s stand that only an SIT probe will bring out the truth.

A day after reports emerged on Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia’s efforts “to promote, protect and shield Lalit Modi,” the Congress said it will strengthen protests demanding her resignation as well as that of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Congress leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Gurudas Kamat and Sachin Pilot said here today that over the past 72 hours, “Modigate” has exposed murky dealings, wilful lies, unearthing of secret documents, non-disclosure of personal and business interests and conflict of interest involving the BJP leadership.

They alleged that the ruling party is out to deceive authorities including the Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Income Tax Department to help Lalit Modi with the active complicity of Swaraj and Scindia.

The BJP, however, continued to defend the duo.

“As far as the allegation of impropriety is concerned, I don’t buy that logic. It was just a case of compassionate intervention for a humanitarian cause. That’s all,” said Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

According to a PTI report, Scindia today called up BJP president Amit Shah and explained her position. Sources said she discussed with Shah the claims made by Lalit Modi and told the party chief that she did share family ties with the former IPL boss but there is no wrongdoing on her part.

Party sources said she has sought to explain her ties between the two families and her friendship with Lalit Modi’s wife.

The Congress said the BJP leadership’s doublespeak in defending the indefensible, as also an entire web of deceit, now stand uncovered for the nation to see, judge and decide.

“Shocking revelations by Lalit Modi and his counsel-cum-attorney Mohd Abdi, backed by documentary evidence, reflect Vasundhara Raje Scindia’s criminal complicity in promoting, protecting and shielding a fugitive of law besides gross misconduct and quid pro quo on her part,” the leaders said.

The Left parties said the Lalit Modi episode “glaringly punctured” the loud claim of the BJP that there is no corruption or crony capitalism under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule.

“Crony capitalism flourishes under the Modi government, just as it did during the UPA government. As for getting back black money and cracking down on money laundering, Lalit Modi, who is gallivanting around the world thanks to Sushma Swaraj, is having the last laugh.

“What happens to the multiple cases against Lalit Modi filed by the ED? Does Arun Jaitley, the Finance Minister, who is himself a big win in the BCCI, have the appetite to bring Lalit Modi to justice?” asked CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat in an editorial in party mouthpiece People’s Democracy.

“The BJP government cannot escape by denying the reality. It has become untenable for Sushma Swaraj to continue in office as a minister.

“There has to be a full investigation and, if it is established that Vasundhara Raje had indeed provided a confidential witness certificate for Lalit Modi, then she will also have to step down,” he added.