No threat to BJP from Vyapam, Lalit Modi issues: Sitharaman

With the opposition threatening to disrupt the forthcoming parliament session over the Vyapam and Lalit Modi issues, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said there was no threat to the ruling BJP from these alleged wrongdoings.

"There is absolutely no threat to the Bharatiya Janata Party," Sitharaman told reporters when asked about the Vyapam and Rajasthan's Dholpur Palace controversies on the sidelines of an event here at industry chamber FICCI.

"There is no basis to these complaints," she said of the Congress allegations that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was to blame for Vyapam scam and must quit.

"The chief minister's stand has been recognised and the CBI is investigating (the case). The CBI will investigate, and we are fully prepared. There is no threat or danger that the BJP (government) will fall," Sitharaman said.

The Vyapam case relates to pre-medical test results that were cancelled by the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB) as these were found to have been rigged.

The CBI is also looking into the 49 mysterious deaths being described as linked to the Vyapam matter.

Sitharaman also refuted Congress allegations that former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje conspired to convert the Dholpur Palace, a government property, into a luxury hotel.

"Let me appeal to those bringing out documents about the Dholpur Palace that please don't give misleading information. It is being given by Congress people, and is not based on facts," she said.

"The property is in the name of Dushyant Singh, son of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and if recognising this, the Ashok Gehlot (Congress) government took a portion for road construction, how can this right now not be there anymore?" Sitharaman asked.

"Not only that, but Dushyant as the rightful owner was also paid compensation by the Gehlot government for the portion used to construct road," she added.