Congress demands Vasundhara Raje's resignation

The Congress on Wednesday demanded the immediate resignation of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje citing documents carrying her signature in support of former IPL chief Lalit Modi.

"In August 2011, Vasundhara Raje had given a statement and on the basis of that she had demanded that Lalit Modi, who is a 'fugitive' should be allowed to stay in England only," senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh told media persons here.

He said Raje had lied again and again and denied the documents. "Today those papers are in front of the country and there are her initials in them. I want to tell BJP president Amit Shah that these are not fake, they are real.

"Today it is clear that she had made a statement in favour of Lalit Modi and the BJP had said that if the documents have her signatures then we will surely demand her resignation," he said.

Ramesh said for a government which preaches a corruption-free government and a prime minister who says there is zero tolerance for corruption, there was only one way out that Raje should resign immediately.

"Nobody should deny this. There is no need for any probe. The Rajasthan chief minister should resign right now," Ramesh said.

"Not only has she violated laws, she has lied. The documents are there, they are not fake but real. There is need for no more evidence. Raje stands thoroughly exposed," he added.

"Actually, it is three ministers who should given their resignation. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and HRD Minister Smriti Irani."

Ramesh said the case against Sushma Swaraj doesn't disappear.

Taking at dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said: "I know it is difficult for a silent prime minister to take three resignations together... a PM who has gone into a shell."

The senior Congress leader said his party would continue its protest both inside and outside parliament.