The Agusta Westland chopper deal relates to a decision of the UPA government in 2010 to buy 12 helicopters from Italian manufacturer Finmeccanica.
Highlights
- Meenakshi Lekhi asks for probe, says UPA protected “Italian mafia”
- Finmeccanica was to supply 12 choppers, reports said firm paid bribe
- Jairam Ramesh said UPA cancelled the deal, “We welcome inquiry”
On Day One of a fresh Parliament session, the BJP went on the offensive against the UPA over the Augusta Westland deal to purchase 12 helicopters for VVIPs.
Raising the issue in Lok Sabha this afternoon, BJP lawmaker from Delhi Meenakshi Lekhi asked for a probe into the matter. "We want a discussion in this House and the Defense Minister should answer the questions raised," she said.
Quoting media reports, Ms Lekhi said an order of a court in Milan have raised questions about UPA's role in the Augusta Westland case.
The Indian government was asked to provide documents in April 2013, but the government "didn't respond" until March 2014. "And then too, only three documents were given," Ms Lekhi said. "Was the UPA government trying to protect the Italian Mafia?"
The order of a Milan court raised questions about UPA's role in the Augusta Westland case, Meenakshi Lekhi said.
Congress' top leadership, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were present when the issue was raised. While no one from the Congress intervened, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said he would convey the sentiments to the Defence Minister.
The VVIP chopper deal relates to a 2010 decision of the UPA government to buy 12 helicopters from Italian manufacturer, Finmeccanica. But reports later said the Italian manufacturer had paid a bribe to the tune of Rs 3,565 crore to swing the Indian deal.
Reacting to the allegation, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "It is the UPA that cancelled the deal. We will welcome if there is an inquiry and the truth comes out."