PM may ‘break silence’ in House

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 30

Though Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to pay heed to the Congress’ daily clamour for his views on the ongoing Lalit Modi controversy involving BJP leaders for now, sources say he might speak on the issue in Parliament. Provided, the Congress manages to maintain its momentum against his government till then, they say.

Senior BJP leaders, who agree the party seemed on “defensive and on the back foot” on the controversy so far, say they are working on a strategy for the days ahead. While the central leadership continues to stand by embattled Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje, the job of defending her has been left on the state unit.

So far as Parliament is concerned, party leaders say they will wait and watch the response of non-Congress opposition parties for the first few days of the monsoon session, which begins on July 21.

The sources say the government is in touch with the UK government to ascertain all the facts related to Lalit Modi. It is also ascertaining details on the issue back home.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is believed to be monitoring the counter-defence and dissemination of information to party spokespersons along with the line they would be taking when the opposition mounts offensive in the session.

The BJP is finding solace from the fact that other than the Congress and the Left, most Opposition parties, including the NCP, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi party, AIADMK and the BSP, have largely maintained a distance from the controversy.

The sources say depending upon how the situation pans out, the Prime Minister may make a statement like he had in March when ally Peoples Democratic Party chief and J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s controversial statement stalled the Parliament proceedings. “The Prime Minister has always spoken his mind on critical issues. But others (Congress) will not decide when he will speak,” they say.