In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the Congress knows who took the money, that is why they are scared.
Highlights
- Congress knows who took the money, that's why they're scared: Parrikar
- BJP alleges Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi and aides facilitated the scam
- Italian court found Agusta executive guilty of bribing Indians for deal
In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar delivered an unrestrained take down of the Gandhis, who head the Congress party. "The Bofors scam was 30 years ago but the hierarchical set up is still the same," the minister said, linking an earlier defence scandal to AgustaWestland scam, which centred on a corrupt helicopter scam when the Congress was last in power.
"The Congress knows who took the money, that is why they are scared," the minister said. The ruling BJP alleges that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her closest aides facilitated the Agusta scam and then ordered little action in an attempt at a cover up.
The BJP's claim has been considerably energised by an Italian court verdict which found Agusta executive guilty of bribing Indians to grab the 3,600 crore deal which was cancelled in 2014, two years after the Italians begin their investigation.
The verdict from Milan took into consideration letters of prime players which name-checked Mrs Gandhi and other Congress bosses.
The Congress says the mentions prove nothing, but Mr Parrikar told NDTV, "These are very difficult cases, I don't want to raise hope but I am sure we will get the money trail."