Lok Sabha debates Lalit Modi; Congress wants PM to reply

The party refused to hear out Sushma Swaraj on the issue as she herself was involved in the case

The Congress on Wednesday demanded a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Lalit Modi row, saying it was not ready to hear External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj "again and again" as she herself was involved in the case.

"Only the prime minister can reply as the minister ... involved in this ... If she replies, then it is not an solution," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said in the Lok Sabha during a debate.

"The way the foreign minister supported the fugitive, if we want to talk about this, we need the prime minister to speak. Only he can take action.

"He has the right to appoint ministers. If the minister against whom there are allegations keeps giving replies... She has already spoken once.

"We want the prime minister to speak and take action," Kharge added.

The Congress leader also took a dig at Modi. "He (prime minister) only wants to speak on radio or television. Call him... He should put forward his views on the matter."

Earlier, when he opened he debate, Kharge said the anxiety shown by the government in holding a debate on Wednesday, if shown earlier, would have saved a lot of trouble.

"If anybody is responsible for the situation (in parliament), then it is the government and the prime minister.

"I appeal to you that during this debate, the PM should be present in the the house," he added.

The discussion is being held under an adjournment motion as demanded by the Congress.