Sushma Swaraj’s family received money from Lalit Modi, alleges Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Congress on Friday took the attack against Sushma Swaraj to a new plane by alleging for the first time that money was involved in granting Lalit Modi travel documents. Levelling the charge, Rahul Gandhi said Swaraj must tell the country, “how much money her family” was paid by Lalit.

"Whenever there is a robbery or stealing, a financial transfer takes place. There has been a financial transfer here as well. Sushma’s family has received money from Lalit Modi. She should tell the country exactly how much money Lalit has paid her family to keep himself out of jail," Gandhi told reporters on the sidelines of a Congress dharna outside Parliament. The severe attack is a clear indication that Congress MPs would continue the protest inside the Lok Sabha when they return to the House after end of the suspension of its 25 MPs.

Gandhi’s attack came a day after Swaraj told the Lok Sabha that her decision to tell British authorities about Modi’s request was based on humanitarian consideration. She also asked how Sonia Gandhi would have acted in that situation. On Friday, Rahul Gandhi answered Swaraj about her question to his mother.

"As Sonia Gandhi’s son I can say she would not have done the same thing. Wheneverthereissomestealing, secrecy is maintained by the thief. Inthiscase, Sushmahasmaintained full secrecy. Nobody in the ministry other than Sushma Swaraj knew about this decision. After this decision, the government of the UK changed its position." Sonia Gandhi chose to describe Swaraj’s emotional statement in the Lok Sabha as "theatrics". "Sushmaji theatrics karne main maahir hain," she said.