According to an official communiqué, the government had invited media to attend a press conference on the Centre’s relief and rehabilitation package to J&K, which was ravaged by a devastating flood.
But the ministers chose to defend Swaraj and emphasise on the government’s stand to maintain good governance. “She acted with a good intention and all accusations against her are baseless. She and the party president have said that she acted bona fide,” Jaitley said.
Both Jaitley and Singh defended Swaraj, who helped arrange travel documents for Modi from Britain despite being aware of the fact that he was under the Enforcement Directorate’s scanner in several cases relating to the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
When asked if Swaraj had decided to help Modi on her own or had she taken permission from a higher ministry, Jaitley said: “All ministers, in charge of various departments, are capable of taking decisions and in all decisions taken by the government, there is a collective responsibility. The entire government and party are united in this matter and there should be no doubt.”
He added the ED is investigating all cases against Modi. Rejecting Modi’s lawyer’s claim that a blue corner notice has been slapped against Modi, Jaitley said: “Of 16, show-cause notices have been issued in 15 cases. I think there is some confusion about shades of blue corner notice. The Interpol has issued a blue corner notice against Lalit Modi.”
Sources said ahead of the press conference, Swaraj had met Jaitley and Singh at the former’s office in North Block.
Cong launches blistering attack on Swaraj, govt
Sharpening its attack against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the Congress on Tuesday demanded the Supreme Court should set up a special investigation team to probe the Lalit Modi travel document case. Party spokesperson Anand Sharma said the names of all those involved must be <g data-gr-id="66">exposed,</g> so that truth comes out and the nexus is revealed. Stressing that Swaraj had committed a crime by helping the former IPL chief, Sharma said the External Affairs Minister’s claims that she helped him on humanitarian grounds are false. Addressing a press conference, he said: “PM Narendra Modi’s ministers are hiding facts and all of them are protecting a wanted offender. What Sushma Swaraj did was unwarranted. Moreover, the row is not about Lalit Modi’s travel papers but about protection being given to him.”
Sharma said a chain of events indicate that the government intended to help Modi. Expressing surprise over the silence maintained by the Prime Minister on the issue, the Congress leader sought if there could be a different set of rules for people on probity. He alleged that the government was trying to cover the entire episode and protect Modi. “We have to ask the PM directly, why is he quiet? Can there be <g data-gr-id="68">different</g> set of rules when you talk of probity. Lalit Modi has declared himself bankrupt, but he is holidaying despite bankruptcy,” he added. Sharma said: “(we also want to know) What have the ED and other government agencies done since May 26, 2014, to apprehend Lalit Modi. Not only the External Affairs Minister, but the entire government was keen to help Modi get his passport.”