Raje is 'Jhansi ki Rani', will sail through Lalitgate: Swamy

Says what Raje did was just a small favour to an old friend on humanitarian ground, which was not a crime

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy today extended his support to Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who is embroiled in the Lalitgate row, calling her 'Jhansi ki Rani' and "capable of sailing through any controversy on her own".

"Raje is Jhansi ki Rani, who has the capability to protect herself from any odd and if the need arises, I would help her," he said, while comparing the minister to the popular freedom fighter.

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Responding to questions on why no party leader has so far issued any statement in the Chief Minister's support like in the case of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is also facing allegations pertaining to Lalit Modi, the leader said, "I know her (Raje). She is capable of protecting herself very well. She does not need the support of any party cadre.

"What Raje did was just a small favour to an old friend on humanitarian ground, which was not a crime," he said.

When questioned about allegations on Jhalawar MP and Raje's son Dushyant Singh for illegal transactions, wherein an amount of over Rs 11 crores was allegedly transferred to the account of Niyant Heritage Hotels Pvt Ltd owned by him, Swami challenged Congress to take a legal route and face the court.

"If Dushynat has done anything wrong, why did the Congress not go to the court against him and prove that he was guilty?" he asked.

Swami was here to appear in the court to plead on the bail application of Asaram Bapu, jailed in a sexual assault case.