Sonia, Rahul Gandhi hurl more at Sushma

'Expert in theatrics' and the like in response to the external affairs minister's defence on Lalit Modi issue

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The slugfest between the opposition Congress and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj got more personal on Friday.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi described Swaraj as an “expert in theatrics.” On Thursday, the Congress had dismissed Swaraj’s defence on the Lalit Modi controversy episode as nothing but a tearjerker. On Friday, Sonia Gandhi said, "Sushma Swaraj is doing drama, she is an expert in theatrics...I would have certainly done my best to help the lady (fugitive Lalit Modi's wife) but not by breaking the law."

Gandhi and Swaraj have had earlier exchanges. In 2004, Swaraj had threatened to “shave her head and go into mourning” if Sonia Gandhi, “a foreigner”, became Prime Minister. That ended when Gandhi selected Dr. Manmohan Singh as PM.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Swaraj: “She asked if Soniaji would have done the same thing. As her son. I will tell Sushmaji that Soniaji would not have done the same thing.”

The Congress has been boycotting Parliament this entire week after its MPs were suspended, and held a dharna for a fourth day. It remains adamant on the demand for Swaraj’s resignation.

Rahul Gandhi alleged Swaraj's actions had been committed in stealth, as done during a “theft.” He also alleged her family and she got financial gains from Lalit Modi. "Sushmaji should tell the country how much money her family, her daughter and husband got from Lalit Modi to keep him out of jail," he said.

Adding, “When a theft occurs, two things take place. Whatever happens is in secrecy and there is a financial transfer. What Sushmaji did was by maintaining secrecy and keeping her ministry in the dark."

On Thursday, in an emotionally charged speech, Swaraj had said, "His ( Lalit Modi) wife has been suffering from cancer for 17 years and it is the 10th time it has recurred...I want to ask what Sonia Gandhi would she would have done (on his request for a UK visa visit) had she been in my place. Would she have left her to die?"

While the Lok Sabha conducted business on Friday, the Congress and other opposition parties ensured the Rajya Sabha was disrupted. Private member bills were allowed to be introduced but no discussion could be taken up on these.

Meanwhile, 20 opposition members in the Rajya Sabha, including leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, CPI(M)’s Sitaram Yechury and TRS' K Keshav, have given a breach of privilege notice against controversial ruling party member Sadhvi Prachi, for her controversial "terrorists in Parliament" remark.