Congress in no mood to relent, says Sushma Swaraj helped Lalit Modi because of her family ties

New Delhi: With Congress in no mood to relent on the issue of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj helping former Indian Premiere League chief Lalit Modi to travel out of the UK, the opposition party said that the minister helped him because of her family ties.

Congress leader PL Punia said, "As per Portugal laws, husband's signature are not required before surgery. Sushma Swaraj helped Lalit Modi only because of her family's ties with him."

With the Narendra Modi government backing Sushma, she is likely to make her first public appearance on Monday after UK based Sunday Times revealed how she helped the former IPL chief get travel documents to fly out of the UK.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "Sushma Swaraj acted on humanitarian grounds. She has done nothing wrong. The Opposition has the habit to ask for resignation on daily basis."

Meanwhile, heavy security has been deployed outside Sushma's residence this morning.

Sushma had admitted speaking to British MP Keith Vaz and supporting Lalit Modi's request for travel documents. But she has defended her actions saying she helped him on humanitarian grounds because he wanted to go to Portugal for his wife's cancer treatment.

She tweeted, "Taking a humanitarian view, I conveyed to the British High Commissioner that "British Government should examine the request of Lalit Modi as per British rules and regulations. If the British Government chooses to give travel documents to Lalit Modi, that will not spoil our bilateral relations."

The issue has left the government red-faced as Modi is wanted in money laundering cases in India.

While the government has ruled out Swaraj's resignation, the opposition is gunning for her and also alleged conflict of interest since Sushma's daughter represents Lalit Modi in some court cases.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad called it BJP's internal matter. "This is BJP's internal matter. The party should investigate thoroughly. The BJP should present the truth before the country," said Lalu.