CPI(M) Leader in Lok Sabha P Karunakaran, in his speech during the discussion on an Adjournment Motion over the Lalit Modi controversy on August 12, demanded a high-level investigation into the case and resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj till she is absolved of the charges against her. Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje have been accused of helping former IPL chief Lalit Modi, who faces charges of corruption, get travel documents from the UK. Karunakaran also questioned the silence of the Prime Minister on the issue. “This silence could be taken to mean anything: either he is supporting the minister or he is opposing the minister. What is his stand on this issue? It has to be made clear by the Prime Minister,” he said.

The CPI(M) leader said the opposition parties had been demanding the adjournment motion to be taken up since the beginning of the monsoon session but all notices were disallowed by either the Speaker or the government. However, at the fag end of the session the government has come forward for the discussion. “I would like to make it clear that it is after a long struggle made by the opposition parties in the House and it is also at the cost of the suspension of 25 members for five days that this decision was taken. Why was the government not ready to take this decision earlier?” he asked. The opposition parties should not be held responsible for the disruptions in the House because no adjournment notice was allowed by the government or the Speaker.

“I would like to remind the government that it was in 2010 that we stalled this House for one month (over the 2G scam) under the leadership of Sushma Swaraj (who was then the Leader of the Opposition and now the External Affairs Minister)... At that time, we made it clear that action has to be taken. It is only after the government takes action that we can discuss the matter. The Prime Minister should come up with a proposal of the action… At that time, the UPA was in power. But now, the BJP is in the government and Congress is in the opposition. We are on the same side, the opposition side. So, we have not made any change in our stand. The situation that was in 2010 is prevailing now. So, the proposal has to be brought by the Prime Minister. As stated by (Congress Leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun) Kharge, the Prime Minister has not come here.

“In democracy, the government is accountable to the Parliament and the Parliament is accountable to the people. Here the head of the government is the Prime Minister. We can be proud of the fact that our Prime Minister has gone to 26 countries in the last few months… Of course, we are proud of that. When his colleague Sushma Swaraj is under severe criticism, the Prime Minister is silent. He has not made any statement outside; he has not made any statement in the House… I would like to point out that there is an Egyptian proverb, ‘Speech is silver and silence is golden’. The Prime Minister has accepted that Egyptian proverb. When the discussion is going on throughout the country, the Prime Minister is going on with his silence. This silence could be taken to mean anything: either he is supporting the Minister or he is opposing the Minister. What is his stand on this issue? It has to be made clear by the Prime Minister. Even at present, he is not here when such a serious discussion is going on. Why is the Prime Minister not here? The question now is not the allegation or criticism of a person. The ministers are bound to abide by the Constitution.”

Karunakaran said the issue of the External Affairs Minister, in violation of the standard protocol of the Foreign Office, helping Lalit Modi to obtain British travel papers is a serious issue. Lalit Modi, who was the IPL chief and was involved in corruption charges, fled India in 2010.  The then government had informed the British authorities that Modi was wanted in a case involving alleged violation of foreign exchange laws, his passport had been impounded, and any diplomatic help he received could adversely impact India’s relations with the UK. This was the message given by the earlier government, whether it was the Home Ministry, Finance Ministry or the External Affairs Ministry. So, the case against him is pending. He is not only unwilling to come to India but also violated many laws. But the present External Affairs Minister had told the British High Commissioner in New Delhi that if the British Government chose to give travel documents to Lalit Modi that would not spoil our bilateral relations. “How can she say that? How can we compare the earlier decisions and this decision? Earlier it was said that the British Government should not give any support. Now, they say if it chose to give travel documents to Lalit Modi that would not spoil our bilateral relations. It is against the rules and the spirit of the decision of the earlier government. So, this is a violation that the minister has made. I would like to know whether this decision was taken with the knowledge of the Prime Minister or whether it was discussed in the Cabinet?” he asked.

It is said that the action was taken on the basis of the humanitarian aspect of the incident as Lalit Modi’s wife was ailing from cancer. But it is not an issue of any individual, the minister has to obey the rules, which is most important. Even if it has to be given a humanitarian consideration, the government can assist but how can a minister alone take this decision? The minister has admitted that she had conveyed to the British Commissioner the change in India’s position. The Prime Minister has to make it clear as to whether there was any change in India’s position. Was the minister authorised or was it decided by the Cabinet to make any change? All through this controversy the Prime Minister is silent. “You have made a number of allegations saying that during the UPA regime, (then PM) Manmohan Singh remained silent. With regard to the present Prime Minister what should I say? I do not want to make any other allegation but at the same time I wonder whether he is sleeping or whether he is silent,” Karunakaran said.

“Someone has said that he is a ‘Mauni Baba’. I do not want to say this. The External Affairs Minister justifies the action by saying that it was based on humanitarian consideration. Of course, we have to consider a case on humanitarian grounds. The wife of Lalit Modi was facing a critical stage of cancer in Portugal for the last many years. This is not a new development. But as per the Portugal hospital rule the operation cannot be undergone without his assistance. I would like to know after getting the permission where he has gone. How many days he has spent in his house with his wife? I think he has spent a few days with his wife and he was travelling to many other countries. Can we say it a humanitarian consideration?” he asked.

Lalit Modi is not an ordinary citizen. He has an extraordinary financial status. He has relations with the people having highest status. He is involved in very serious criminal financial misappropriation cases and violation of enforcement laws. There are about 16 cases against him. “It is on the ground that the earlier government had denied the passport to him. Why it has become an urgent matter? He says that he has very close relations with the External Affairs Minister. I am not saying anything about the Chief Minister of Rajasthan but at the same time Lalit Modi says that he has 30 years of close relations with the CM of Rajasthan. It is not me who is saying this but he says it. Such is his relation with the high people. “I am not opposed to any political leader or a minister having relation with any businessman. That is natural but at the same time the main issue is whether such relation has influenced or whether such position has influenced to take undue partisan decisions to benefit the person. That is the major issue here. So, this is a very serious issue. My Party demands that there should be an investigation into this issue. So, there should be a high-level investigation and till that date it is better for the (External Affairs) Minister to keep away from the Ministry,” the CPI(M) leader said. (END)