Lalitgate: Centre denies deal with Congress over Sushma ​Swaraj, Vasundhara​ Raje

New Delhi: The Congress has come forward with an interesting proposal for the Narendra Modi government – axe External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over Lalit Modi row and get support for Goods and Services Tax Bill in Parliament, a newspaper report claimed on Wednesday.

However, it is being learnt that the Centre has rejected the offer from the grand old party which has kept up the pressure on the NDA government over 'Lalitgate'.

Reports say that the Modi government has outrightly rejected Congress' offer saying there is no question of any deal with the Congress in upcoming Parliament session, be it on GST or Land Acquisition Bill. Instead, the BJP has agreed for a debate on any contentious issue.

The Monsoon Session scheduled to commence from July 21 is expected to be stormy with Congress along with other regional parties such as Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) planning to corner the BJP over Lalit Modi row.

The Modi government has refused to budge as it would give an impression that it has succumbed to the pressure from opposition and would also weaken its future prospects.

The Congress has been persistent with its demand for sacking of Raje, saying there was a "criminal nexus" between her family and former IPL boss Lalit Modi.

Congress has been demanding resignations of Swaraj and Raje over Lalit Modi controversy, of HRD Minister Smriti Irani for misrepresenting facts about her educational qualification in separate election affidavits, and of Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde for her alleged involvement in a "scam" by clearing purchases worth Rs 206 crore on a single day instead of inviting tenders in violation of norms.

The BJP has been defending Swaraj and Raje despite opposition demands that they be sacked for supporting Lalit Modi with his immigration plea in Britain.

The opposition mounted pressure on Raje after the emergence of a letter carrying her signature, in which she backs Lalit Modi's application in the UK.