Opposition keeps up the pressure on Sushma Swaraj, Centre backs her on Lalit Modi row

New Delhi: Fighting against all odds, Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre is holding the fort to support External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. On the first day of the proceeding of the Monsoon session of Parliament, Rajya Sabha faced three back-to-back adjournments after Opposition created uproar seeking Sushma's resignation in the row over alleged links with former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi.

However, standing firm against the unrelenting Opposition, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Sushma is ready to give a statement and accused the Opposition of not being ready for a debate. Jaitley, who met Sushma before giving a statement to the media, claimed that the Opposition does not want a discussion.

Meanwhile, the beleaguered External Affairs Minister was on Tuesday greeted in the Lok Sabha by a host of NDA members in an apparent gesture of backing her despite severe criticism from opposition MPs. Several BJP members, as well as those of the Shiv Sena, were seen greeting Swaraj, with some even touching her feet before the House met on the first day of the Monsoon Session.

As soon as the House was adjourned for the day after paying tributes to departed members, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Swaraj were seen involved in an animated discussion near the front row.

Soon, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav joined the three. The Prime Minister was seen holding Yadav's arm while the SP leader was making a point.

SP leaders like Ram Gopal Yadav have supported Swaraj in the controversy saying people keep coming to politicians for help and there is no reason to demand the resignation of the senior BJP leader. Just before the proceedings began, Modi went up to the Opposition benches to greet leaders like Sonia Gandhi and the SP chief. He shook hands with Yadav, Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai and greeted Sonia with a namaste. He also spoke with Sonia and Yadav before returning to his seat.

An unrelenting Congress had been demanding the resignation of Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over the Lalit Modi controversy. It also wants Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Cahuhan to step down following the Vyapam government job recruitment scam.