TMC distances itself from Saugata's view on Swaraj controversy

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress on Monday distanced itself from party leader Saugata Roy's demand that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj own up to having done something "improper" in procuring British travel documents for Lalit Modi, saying the party does not share his views.

"My colleague Prof Saugata Roy has given a statement on the Sushma Swaraj issue. This may be his personal view, not the view of the party. He is not a spokesperson," TMC national spokesperson Derek O'Brien said.

Roy yesterday had demanded that Swaraj must own up to having done something "improper" in her capacity as a minister.

"Swaraj should not have had intervened in the matter and now she must own up to having done something 'improper' in her capacity as a minister," Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy said yesterday.

However, though the party refused to endorse Roy's view, it did not spell out its stand on the Swaraj issue denying to make any comment, according to TMC sources.