NEW DELHI -- Even as opposition parties ratchet up pressure on the NDA government to take action against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keeping up his deafening silence over the Lalit Modi scandal, which broke two weeks ago.
It was widely anticipated that Modi would touch on the subject during his radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat" on Sunday morning, but the prime minister completely bypassed the controversy, choosing to focus on the success of the International Yoga Day as well other issues like watershed management and insurance programs for the poor.
Modi did not address the controversy while speaking at a public function in Ranchi on Sunday afternoon, and he had to cancel his trip to Varanasi because of heavy rains.
So far, the BJP has ruled out resignation for Swaraj, who helped Lalit Modi secure travel documents from the U.K. after the former IPL commissioner was being investigated for money laundering, and he was regarded a fugitive from Indian law. The party is also standing behind Raje, who backed his immigration plea when she Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan, and derided the Indian government before British authorities.
Modi's silence today seemed especially jarring in the aftermath of remarks made by veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, who told a Bengali daily that political probity is essential, and so he resigned as a lawmaker in 1996 when his name cropped up in the Hawala scam in 1996.
READ: I Quit Over Hawala Because I Listened To My Conscience, Says Advani
READ: Raje's Signature Supporting Lalit Modi's Immigration Plea
While Advani did not comment on the Swaraj-Raje affair, his remarks are being viewed as a veiled jibe at the Modi government. This is the second time that the senior BJP leader has spoken against government in the past ten days, and his intervention has surprised those who see him as close to Swaraj.
"For a politician, to command people's trust is the biggest responsibility. What morality demands that is 'rajdharma' and need to maintain probity in public life," he said.
During the past two weeks, however, the BJP has attempted to put together a weak defence by questioning the authenticity of documents implicating Raje, and arguing that she acting in her personal capacity while helping the former IPL commissioner.
"Every human being wears multiple hats. Ms Raje gave the statement in her personal capacity, not in her capacity as Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli told NDTV on Friday.
Citing sources, NDTV reported that Raje has defended her position to senior BJP leaders by arguing that she had a change of heart after signing the statement and that is why she did not depose in favour.
Without a deposition, the news channel reported, the affidavit amounts to only "a proposed witness statement... intent, but not action."
On Wednesday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh ruled out their resignations. "There will be no resignation of ministers," he said. "We are the NDA, not the UPA."
On Thursday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said "nobody is tainted."
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It was widely anticipated that Modi would touch on the subject during his radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat" on Sunday morning, but the prime minister completely bypassed the controversy, choosing to focus on the success of the International Yoga Day as well other issues like watershed management and insurance programs for the poor.
Modi did not address the controversy while speaking at a public function in Ranchi on Sunday afternoon, and he had to cancel his trip to Varanasi because of heavy rains.
So far, the BJP has ruled out resignation for Swaraj, who helped Lalit Modi secure travel documents from the U.K. after the former IPL commissioner was being investigated for money laundering, and he was regarded a fugitive from Indian law. The party is also standing behind Raje, who backed his immigration plea when she Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan, and derided the Indian government before British authorities.
Modi's silence today seemed especially jarring in the aftermath of remarks made by veteran BJP leader L.K. Advani, who told a Bengali daily that political probity is essential, and so he resigned as a lawmaker in 1996 when his name cropped up in the Hawala scam in 1996.
READ: I Quit Over Hawala Because I Listened To My Conscience, Says Advani
READ: Raje's Signature Supporting Lalit Modi's Immigration Plea
While Advani did not comment on the Swaraj-Raje affair, his remarks are being viewed as a veiled jibe at the Modi government. This is the second time that the senior BJP leader has spoken against government in the past ten days, and his intervention has surprised those who see him as close to Swaraj.
"For a politician, to command people's trust is the biggest responsibility. What morality demands that is 'rajdharma' and need to maintain probity in public life," he said.
During the past two weeks, however, the BJP has attempted to put together a weak defence by questioning the authenticity of documents implicating Raje, and arguing that she acting in her personal capacity while helping the former IPL commissioner.
"Every human being wears multiple hats. Ms Raje gave the statement in her personal capacity, not in her capacity as Leader of Opposition in Rajasthan," BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli told NDTV on Friday.
Citing sources, NDTV reported that Raje has defended her position to senior BJP leaders by arguing that she had a change of heart after signing the statement and that is why she did not depose in favour.
Without a deposition, the news channel reported, the affidavit amounts to only "a proposed witness statement... intent, but not action."
On Wednesday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh ruled out their resignations. "There will be no resignation of ministers," he said. "We are the NDA, not the UPA."
On Thursday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said "nobody is tainted."
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