Modi owes an explanation on Sushma Swaraj issue: Somnath

Says Swaraj in her capacity as central minister should not have helped a person who had escaped from the country to avoid legal consequences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make a statement on the controversy involving Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today said.

Swaraj in her capacity as central minister should not have helped a person who had escaped from the country to avoid legal consequences, he told PTI.

"I personally feel Narendra Modi being the Prime Minister and the leader of the government owes an explanation to the nation. He should come out with a statement to clarify why a minister of his government helped a person who had escaped from the country to avoid legal consequences," Chatterjee said.

Asked whether he felt Swaraj should resign from the post of foreign minister, Chatterjee, an erstwhile CPI-M leader said, "It is for the government, the Prime Minister to decide.

I cannot comment on it. But it is really shameful to see that a foreign minister has allegedly helped someone in getting visas who has cases against him."

Opposition parties have demanded that the Prime Minister explain the help provided by Swaraj to scam-tainted former IPL chief Lalit Modi and also sought her resignation in the matter.

While ruling BJP have stood by Swaraj, opposition including Congress have slammed the "double standards" of the ruling party and said the Prime Minister must apologise to the nation for the controversy.