Defending External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj over her alleged links with former IPL chief Lalit Modi, union minister Babul Supriyo on Monday said the controversy has rubbished suggestions that she was "alienated" within her party."People have the right to form opinion of their own. But as she has already stated, she did it on humanitarian grounds and we must appreciate the fact that the people living abroad are reaching out to the Indian government when in distress," he said on the sidelines of an event here.The opposition has been gunning for Sushma Swaraj's removal after she admitted helping Lalit Modi in securing documents to travel to Portugal in July last year for the treatment of his cancer-stricken wife.
While the controversy continues to gain momentum, Supriyo, the minister of state for urban development, said it has rubbished suggestions of Sushma Swaraj not being close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "What has happened in the bargain is that a very important question got answered. There was something in the air that Sushma Swaraj is not close to the prime minister, she is a little alienated and not supported by the party. But the manner in which the party has stood by her has rubbished all such suggestions," he asserted.Supriyo also tried defending the former Indian Premier League commissioner who has been accused of financial impropriety. "Until proven guilty a person is assumed to be innocent. Modi left Britain with the permission of the government and now he is back. Let law take its course."It's time we appreciate the fact that an Indian facing a problem outside the country can reach out to the government of India and the government is responding positively and actually reaching out to them."Senior ministers and party colleagues have already answered whatever questions were raised on the issue and I don't think I have anything more to add," he said.