New Delhi: It was an emotionally-charged defense that Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj presented today about her role in helping former cricket boss Lalit Modi get travel papers in the UK last year.
"His wife of many years is being treated for cancer... she said she needed the support of her husband... she is an Indian citizen who has not broken any laws," said Mrs Swaraj. "What would you have done?" she asked Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, followed by "Would Sonia Gandhi have acted differently?"
Mrs Swaraj's explanation is invalid since it was made while the opposition was missing, said Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress. The party is boycotting the Lok Sabha after 25 of its modest pool of 44 MPs were suspended for five days for unruly behavior.
In 2010, the magnate moved to London after being named in corruption cases; he has refused to face trial in India, claiming death threats from the underworld.
"I did not back his appeal," she said. But given that her stand differed from that of the previous Congress-led government, critics say she should have revealed the change. Mrs Swaraj has also been accused of a conflict of interest because her husband and daughter have served as lawyers for Lalit Modi. The government says she is not guilty of moral or legal transgressions.
"His wife of many years is being treated for cancer... she said she needed the support of her husband... she is an Indian citizen who has not broken any laws," said Mrs Swaraj. "What would you have done?" she asked Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, followed by "Would Sonia Gandhi have acted differently?"
Mrs Swaraj's explanation is invalid since it was made while the opposition was missing, said Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress. The party is boycotting the Lok Sabha after 25 of its modest pool of 44 MPs were suspended for five days for unruly behavior.
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In 2010, the magnate moved to London after being named in corruption cases; he has refused to face trial in India, claiming death threats from the underworld.
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"I did not back his appeal," she said. But given that her stand differed from that of the previous Congress-led government, critics say she should have revealed the change. Mrs Swaraj has also been accused of a conflict of interest because her husband and daughter have served as lawyers for Lalit Modi. The government says she is not guilty of moral or legal transgressions.
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