Sushma Swaraj keen to clear air during Parliament's monsoon session

New Delhi: Facing Opposition heat on ‘Lalitgate’, the government on Monday made it clear that external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj is ready to make a statement in Parliament on allegations against her on facilitating Lalit Modi’s travel documents. Parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said that Ms Swaraj was keen to make a statement on the Lalit Modi issue.

At the same time, Mr Naidu rejected the demand for resignation being made by the Congress. Opposition parties had been closing ranks against the government on several issues, including the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh and the Lalit Modi controversy in which names of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Swaraj have figured. The Opposition, mainly the Congress, has been demanding resignation of Raje, Swaraj and MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a demand which has been spurned by the BJP.

Opposition divided

There appeared to be reservations in the Opposition ranks on the “no resignations-no session” stand of the Congress. Incidentally AIADMK and Trinamul  members were not present at either of the meetings, as both parties held their own parleys in Chennai and Kolkata to discuss strategy for the forthcoming Parliament session.

Political observers said that there are so many issues that the Opposition parties were picking and choosing them as per their discretion. While the Trinamul is likely to raise the Vyapam scam and the Lalit Modi controversy, the BJD plans to raise the Land Bill and the Vyapam scam. The Congress, however, appeared to be alone on its “no resignation, no House” line as most other parties said that a washout of Parliament was not a good solution.   

Canteen for all: Speaker

MPs alone do not eat in Parliament canteen, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said on Monday amid controversy over heavy subsidy being enjoyed by the facility. She said the issue of subsidy and quality of food and service are being addressed through a dialogue with all the stakeholders, including Parliament’s Canteen Committee as also the Press Gallery Committee.

Noting that besides the MPs, the canteen is being utilised by journalists, Parliament staff of all levels, security personnel and guests, she said an individual alone cannot take a call on the issues involved. “MPs alone don’t eat in the (Parliament) canteen,” she said.

The Speaker said besides the Canteen committee, she will also speak to the journalists’ committee on the issue of subsidy. She said quality is a concern and she is addressing it. The Speaker made these remarks after chairing an all-party meeting convened ahead of Session.