NEW DELHI: The Lalit Modi scandal on Wednesday became murkier with the former IPL chief dragging Varun Gandhi into a fresh row alleging that the BJP MP had met him in London a few years ago to negotiate a deal between him and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, a charge strongly denied by both Varun and the Congress.
Meanwhile, firing a fresh salvo at the government, hinting at quid pro quo between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Lalit, the Congress alleged that he had offered her husband alternate director’s post — a non-salaried position — in his company, and sought her resignation. Sushma’s husband Swaraj Kaushal agreed that the offer was made to him but said he had declined it. Kaushal has been representing Lalit as counsel for the last 20 years.
Currently in London, Lalit has been stirring politics back home with his serial tweets on people he claims to have met in the recent past. In a series of tweets, he also questioned why the Enforcement Directorate was not moving against other people apart from him.
Lalit named Sultanpur MP Varun Gandhi alleging he had come to his house a few years ago to settle matters with Sonia.
“Mr @varungandhi80 came to see me at my house a few years ago and said he can settle everything in @INCIndia with his aunt. He wanted me to meet her sister from Italy... I heard from our common friend who introduced us that Auntie wants 60 million dollars,” Lalit alleged in multiple tweets. He then went on to reveal the identity of the aunt as Sonia Gandhi as well as her sister. He even claimed that a famous astrologer was present during the meeting between him and Varun.
Varun reacted sharply to it claiming the allegations were “baseless”. “How can I respond seriously to something so blatantly untrue. It is beneath my dignity to dwell deeper into this ridiculousness.”
As Varun denied, Lalit levelled fresh allegations quoting ex-Union minister Natwar Singh’s son Jagat Singh, who is currently a BJP MLA from Rajasthan. While heaping praise on Jagat, Lalit quoted from a twitter handle purported to be that of Jagat.
“Did not introduce Varun Gandhi to Lalit Modi. Facilitated meeting through a common friend; world renowned astrologer. Was in India at time... Meeting was at behest of Varun. Got a call from LM (Lalit Modi) a week later. Most upset. Shocked at what he had to say,” said Jagat’s tweets.