SP, BSP bat for Sonia, says she can't be blamed for Vadra's actions

Rival UP parties defend Sonia, refuse to back BJP on Vadra

As BJP today raised a storm over Robert Vadra's land deals, BSP and SP, UPA's outside supporters, struck a different note wondering how Congress President Sonia Gandhi could be held responsible for the alleged wrongdoings of her son-in-law.

The Left parties, however, took the stand that all cases of corruption should be probed.

"I would like to say if Sonia Gandhi is held responsible for it, our party does not agree with it. If someone does something wrong, his or her relations should not be punished. On the allegations against Robert Vadra, how can Sonia Gandhi be held responsible," BSP chief Mayawati told reporters here.

She was asked to comment on the Vadra issue over which both the Houses of Parliament saw repeated adjournments with the BJP turning aggressive.

SP leader Naresh Aggarwal said the BJP was "politicising" the issue which was a state matter and should be handled at that level only.

"I don't agree with the BJP's slogan of 'sarkari damaad'. We are not in agreement with the politicisation of the issue and dragging Sonia Gandhi in to the issue. I do not see how she can be held responsible for the whole issue," he said.

Asked about the Left stand on the issue at a press conference jointly addressed by CPI(M) and CPI leaders, Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) said "it is not just the question of the son-in-law. There are many more people who have foreign accounts. More information will come out in the near future. All non-issues are being raised and the House is getting disrupted. Why do no major party raise the issue of Reliance?"

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said all cases of corruption, whether any individual or any corporate is involved, must be probed and the guilty punished. These issues must also be discussed in the House.

Vadra is in the eye of the storm over alleged controversial land deals in Haryana and BJP has decided to step up the ante on the issue in Parliament.