Bengaluru: Asserting that Lalitgate was not a corruption issue, Union Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday said it has been 'blown out of proportion' by the media and the truth would emerge in days ahead.
"This issue is being highlighted by the media, especially the electronic media. In days ahead, truth will emerge and everything will become clear... This is not an issue of corruption," he told reporters here.
Paswan, an ally of NDA, said both External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje are not denying their relations with the former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi and the foreign minister had provided Modi humanitarian help.
"Both Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje are saying they have relations with him. Swaraj is saying whatever she has done is on humanitarian ground to help wife (of Modi)....She is not denying the help given by her," he said.
Paswan said Swaraj carried 'a clean image' and it was a matter of time before the truth will emerge. "Swaraj carries a clean image... Some ministers, it is in their nature to help or oblige to some requests, and while doing, sometimes they get trapped on technical issues. It is a matter of time (that the truth will emerge). We will see," he said.
He said in the one-year rule of Narendra Modi government there has been no corruption charges levelled against any minister. "...We have given a corruption-free India which we had promised the people of India and that stand exists."
Asked if NDA was divided over Swaraj and Raje in terms of defending these two leaders, Paswan said the allies stand with the government's decision.
"Both party and government stand by Sushma Swarajji. I can't say about Vasundhara Raje... Therefore I am saying that NDA partners are with the government. I do not want to comment much about it. We are the allied parties and we stand by the government's decision," Paswan, whose Lok Jan Shakti Party is a constituent of NDA, said.
On the conflict of interest charge against Swaraj, Paswan
said, "These are mere clouds and moreover it is a rainy season now. Anyway, the clouds are going to burst and things will be clear."
The foreign minister's husband Swaraj Kaushal was Modi's lawyer for 22 years and daughter Bansuri has been his lawyer for seven years.
On BJP patriarch L K Advani's controversial Emergency comments, Paswan said, "Advani has given his clarification. What he meant was that a situation like Emergency should not arise in the country again...
"...Advani said something like that can happen anytime. Don't you say one should not lie; one should tell truth - likewise a situation like Emergency should not arise - this is what Advani meant. He has not pointed at any individual," Paswan said.
To a question on former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing Modi of backing corrupt leaders, Paswan said their comments did not carry any weight as their parties were either afflicted by corruption or aiding corrupt politicians.
"Kejriwal was boasting of eradicating corruption but what happened. Somebody is being charged with corruption. One is being booked for fake degree certificates... Nitish Kumar has joined hands with king of corruption Lalu Yadav... And these very people are charging Modi for aiding corruption. Their allegations will not carry weight," he said.
