Oppn guns for Raje after fresh document shows she backed Lalit Modi's plea


New Delhi, Jun 24 (PTI): Pressure mounted tonight for the ouster of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje after emergence of a document purportedly carrying her signature to back Lalit Modi's immigration application in the UK, with Congress saying she stood "exposed completely" while batting for a "fugitive".

Stepping up the offensive against Raje, who had claimed she did not recall having signed such a document, Congress accused her of "repeatedly lying" and demanded her immediate resignation.

"The curtains are off, the secret is out. The document signed by Vasundhara Raje dated August 18, 2011 supporting his immigration case before the British government is out. When the issue came out first, she feigned ignorance and then said she does not remember," senior party leader Jairam Ramesh told reporters at the AICC briefing.

Raje was alleged to have agreed to become a witness to the former IPL Czar's immigration application provided it was kept a secret in India.

"BJP has always maintained that if papers are produced with her signature, then she is culpable. There is no need of anymore evidence, Vasundhara Raje stands thoroughly exposed," Ramesh said.

Ramesh said the Congress seeks her immediate resignation as she has broken four laws - Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act, PMLA, Passport Act, while batting for a "bhagora" (fugitive).

Displaying the seven-page document having 21 points, he said, "This has never happened in independent India before where a former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition has batted for a fugitive".

In a tight spot following fresh revelations, BJP reacted with caution, with its spokesperson Sambit Patra saying the party "will not run away" from the issue and look into the new disclosure.

"We will not run away... The party will do whatever is necessary to see to it that truth comes out in the open," Patra said.

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ramesh said, "The government which advocates propriety and zero tolerence to corruption should immediately seek her resignation. The Prime Minister who used to speak so much on these issues one year back has been silent and has gone into a shell".

With the Lalit Modi controversy snowballing into a bigger row by the day, Ramesh also demanded the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who had helped Modi secure travel documents for him in the UK, besides that of HRD Minister Smriti Irani, caught in a row over furnishing different informations about her educational qualifications in election affidavits.

"She should immediately resign. It should be followed by the resignation of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and HRD Minister Smriti Irani," he said.

Making it clear that the Congress was not relent on the issue, Ramesh said the demand for resignation of the three leaders is "non-negotiable".

After tonight, the continuace of Raje as Chief Minister of Rajasthan is "immoral", he said.

"Our struggle will continue both inside and outside Parliament," he said. Senior CPI-M leader Brinda Karat said, Raje cannot be allowed to stay in office "even for a second".

"This is the responsibility of BJP's top leaders including Narendra Modi and Amit Shah to immediately take action and get her to resign because clearly she is not going to resign.

"She chose to lie in the first place after the first expose. She is a person who knows what should be done and clearly is trying to camouflage, hoping that it may not be exposed. There is no case for her except to resign," Karat said.

Indicating there would be no let up in Congress's onslaught on the Modi government, another Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said," She (Raje) and the BJP ministers who have been exposed or have been accused of acts of omission and commission will have to go."

"For an absconder from law, you secure travel documents of a country, they all have to go," Sharma, a former Union minister, said.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Raje's long-time rival Ashok Gehlot said,"The true character has been revealed and what kind of letter has been written. Money has also been transferred through hawala.

"There is an open corruption and, if Vasundhara is a model to bring back black money, then Arun Jaitley's model has failed. It is a testing time for Narendra Modi and we will be waiting for his action," he said.

Eminent lawyer and former AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said Raje's position had become "untenable" from the time Lalit Modi tweeted and gave the evidence that she had signed the affidavit in her favour and that it should be kept secret.

"You do such a thing when you think that you are doing something which is not legitimate," Bhushan said.

AAP leader Ashutosh said there was "no room left" for Raje in the BJP after fresh revelations in the murky episode. "She should resign because it is an open and shut case," he said.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • KRPrabhu, B'luru

    Thu, Jun 25 2015

    This is a clear case media mania trying to indict persons in politics for TRP purpose.Evevry persons like Raje or otherwise goes throuh thousands of files in day to day affairs and it is hardly to recall which are they.This case belongs to 2011 and recalling back is hardly difficult for any intelligent.Even Manmohan Singh said that he did not recall of the facts regarding Coalgate.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santan Mascarenhas, Kinnigoli/Mumbi

    Thu, Jun 25 2015

    This is all about politics, sincerely protecting insincere act. She signed papers in the UK court supporting LaMo. One year back, NaMo, at the top of his voice was exhorting to the nation that he would shun corruption.

    It is unfortunate that insincere politicians try to act sincere and in doing so, mislead the nation.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Clifford, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 25 2015

    BJP's true colour is now coming out. There are more scams to come out soon. These were the people who made so much noise against corruption.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • prem, moodbidri

    Thu, Jun 25 2015

    Arrogant BJP will pay for their arrogance soon.

    cheaters...

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • RONALD, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 25 2015

    Now people realized that bjp is ruled by bunch tugs and crooooooooooks and they think Indian people are idiots and donkey but they do not know that they too are monkeys.
    Did people forgotten those days telka exposed then bjp's president accepting suitcase of money for a defense deal!!!!!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, Kuwait

    Thu, Jun 25 2015


    Where is Moun (mum) Modi now..??

    Has he been paralysed by the evidences that are unfolding before the entire world?

    Modi, Jaitley, Sushma, Raje and many more others must resign NOW!!

    BJP Bhagao, Desh bachao...!!

    Jai Hind.....!!!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • GCP., Muscat

    Thu, Jun 25 2015

    Masterji sahi kaha kartha tha.
    "Na khaunga Na khane dhunga"
    Jab se Lamo gate kul gaya hai,
    thab se in logone Khaana-pina chod diya.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Swamy, Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 24 2015

    BJP can not face the bowling from the opposition nor the pitch is suitable for them to bat. First wicket will be down soon and then immediately followed by a series of hat trick wickets for the opposition. Poor BJP can't even open their mouth to sledge.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • ABDUL RAFIQ, UCHILA / DUBAI

    Wed, Jun 24 2015

    SUSHMA SWARAJ
    VASUNDARA RAJE
    DUSHYANTH SINGH
    SMRITI IRANI
    PANKAJA MUNDE
    VINOD TAWDE

    ABOVE BJP LEADERS ARE FULLY CO-OPERATING WITH MODI GOVT FOR CORRUPT FREE GOVERNANCE.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, Kuwait

    Thu, Jun 25 2015


    @ Abdul Rafiq

    That is the spirit of Swachh Bharat!!

    BJP Hatao, Desh Bachao!!

    Jai Hind!!!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Pramod Suvarna, Derebail / Mangaluru

    Wed, Jun 24 2015

    shame shame shame

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • valerian, niddodi

    Wed, Jun 24 2015

    giving false promises bjp came in power.now you people are witness for the through color of the bjp how much BJP is the corrupted party.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Hussain , Dxb

    Wed, Jun 24 2015

    Bad days for BJP's from past two weeks !!
    Someone said ..NA KHUD KHAUNGA NA DUSRON KO KHANE DUNGA !!! Now where is he hiding ?!

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Wed, Jun 24 2015

    Vasundhara Raje helped Lalit Modi because he put in Rs 11.63 crore in Vasundhara Raje son's company ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL K PERINJE, PERINJE

    Wed, Jun 24 2015

    Making of on more Yediurappa of Rajastan for BJP!!!VRaje's son got millions of dollar investment from Lalit for the company which was in paper only!!!Rajastan may have new CM very soon and in the event of such development,I think Sushma too have to relinquish FM ministry and finally Arun Jaitely may have to follow the path of two ministers?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Surendra Poojari, Mangalore

    Thu, Jun 25 2015

    If they sack Sushma, she is going to spill more beans so there will be many blunders are going to come out. Hence our PM who used to make fun of ex PM Manmohan Singh as Moun Mohan Singh is silent and acting like Kumbhakarna. Truth has to come out. NDA government is in danger at the Centre and they don't have moral right to continue in power as they supported anti national.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Oppn guns for Raje after fresh document shows she backed Lalit Modi's plea



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.