New Delhi: The pressure is mounting on Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje whose name has figured in the 'Lalit Modigate' row.
As per reports in newspapers and on TV channels, Raje has been asked by the top party leadership not to speak on the matter. Further, it has reportedly been conveyed to BJP spokespersons by senior party leaders not to back the embattled Rajasthan CM till all facts are ascertained.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also gave an indication to this effect yesterday.
"We stand very firmly. There is no allegation of corruption or any impropriety. The people of India trust us," Prasad said in a press conference while replying to a question about the Sushma Swaraj-Lalit Modi row.
Reacting on Raje, he said the details would have to be looked into. "Vasundhara ji has spoken slightly yesterday... I am sure she will revert back," he said, adding: "There was, however, no signature on the documents shown yesterday (Tuesday)."
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has claimed that Raje had supported his immigration plea in Britain.
As per documents released by the team of Lalit Modi, Raje had helped the scam-tainted former IPL chief's immigration in the UK by giving a written statement. She had, however, added a condition that her endorsement should not be disclosed to the Indian authorities.
Raje yesterday called up BJP president Amit Shah and explained her position.
Sources said Raje discussed with Shah the claims made by Lalit Modi and told the party chief that she did share family ties with the former IPL boss but there is no wrongdoing on her part.
Party sources said Raje has sought to explain her ties between the two families and her friendship with Modi's wife but the documents being circulated in the media are "unverified and unsigned".
Sources said that Raje is in close touch with the party ever since documents suggesting that Raje had helped scam-tainted Modi's immigration in the UK by giving a written statement.
She has, however, maintained that she has no knowledge of the documents being shown by the media.
Raje had distanced herself from the document purportedly showing her backing former IPL chief's immigration plea in Britain.
"Of course I know the family. I have always known them...(But) I do not know what documents they are talking about," she has said.
The party, however, continues to back External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj whose name was the first to figure in the current row.
Swaraj has admitted to helping Lalit Modi secure travel documents from the UK for his visit to Portugal last year for his cancer-stricken wife's treatment.
Amit Shah, besides Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, have already come out in support of Swaraj, saying she has only acted out of 'humanitarian' reasons to help Modi with his travel documents to take care of his ailing wife.
The Congress has, however, demanded that both Swaraj and Raje resign for their involvement in the 'Lalit Modigate'. The main opposition party has also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi break his silence on the matter.
(With PTI inputs)
