Government will play by rule book: Jaitley on Lalit Modi

San Francisco: The government will ‘play by the rule book’ and make sure that absolute standards of probity are maintained, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said as the Opposition continued its attack over Lalit Modi controversy.

Arun Jaitley also said there is ‘no question at all’ about the government going on the back foot on this issue, as it has done ‘nothing wrong’. “The government will play by the rule book and we will make sure that the absolute standards of probity are maintained,” Jaitley told reporters in an interview here.

Asked whether the controversy was creating an impression that some leaders of the ruling party and the government were siding with corrupt people, Jaitley added, “There is no question at all.”

To a question on the Opposition planning to disrupt the Monsoon Session on Lalit Modi issue, Jaitley cited the Parliament is meant to discuss and not to disrupt business.

“We are willing to have a discussion on any subject that the Opposition wants,” he added. The Finance Minister also urged that the reforms can even take place outside Parliament, but its smooth functioning was important for many other reasons.

“There are also some legislative reforms for which Parliament must function,” he said. Under attack from the Opposition, Jaitley had yesterday stated the authorities would continue to do their job in probing the matter.