New Delhi: Swaraj Abhiyan today hit back at Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on a AugustaWestland helicopter deal, saying instead of calling the charges against him as political motivated, he should respond to them.
"Today when he (Prashant Bhushan) questions your misdeeds, he is an agent of the Congress. Sir, would you care to answer these questions instead of levelling these charges," Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav said.
Yesterday, Mr Bhushan and Mr Yadav accused the Chhattisgarh government of floating a global tender in a "shady manner" to purchase a specific AugustaWestland helicopter by paying "over 30 per cent" commission without exploring options.
The two had also sought to link Raman Singh's son Abhishek to the controversy, alleging Abhishek Singh formed a company called Quest Heights Ltd on July 3, 2008, almost six months after the bulk of the payment was made by the state government to Sharp Ocean, an agent company.
Mr Singh had dismissed the charges as "baseless" and "politically motivated" and accused Mr Bhushan of trying to dilute the issue saying there was no irregularity in the helicopter deal.
He said senior Congress leaders were facing heat over the scam involving corruption to the tune of several crores of rupees and these baseless charges against a BJP-ruled state were "an attempt to divert the attention".
Mr Bhushan said everything they had said is based as per the documents procured under the RTI from the Chhattisgarh government.
He added that right from the beginning, the Chhattisgarh government was dealing with a commission agent of AgustaWestland whom they had given more than "30 per cent commission".
"Thereafter an account was found on the ICIJ website in the name of Abhishek Singh through a company called Quest Heights and the address given of the company and Abhishek is the same as Raman Singh's address.
"This certainly raises suspicion, but it is a strong evidence that kickbacks were paid in this deal and that kickbacks were appeared to have been deposited in British Virgin Island account," Mr Bhushan said.
This charge has also been refuted by Mr Singh and his son Abhishek.
"If Mr Raman Singh or his son says that it is not his account, then why didn't they ask the government to investigate the account," Mr Bhushan added.
"Today when he (Prashant Bhushan) questions your misdeeds, he is an agent of the Congress. Sir, would you care to answer these questions instead of levelling these charges," Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav said.
Yesterday, Mr Bhushan and Mr Yadav accused the Chhattisgarh government of floating a global tender in a "shady manner" to purchase a specific AugustaWestland helicopter by paying "over 30 per cent" commission without exploring options.
Mr Singh had dismissed the charges as "baseless" and "politically motivated" and accused Mr Bhushan of trying to dilute the issue saying there was no irregularity in the helicopter deal.
Advertisement
Mr Bhushan said everything they had said is based as per the documents procured under the RTI from the Chhattisgarh government.
Advertisement
"Thereafter an account was found on the ICIJ website in the name of Abhishek Singh through a company called Quest Heights and the address given of the company and Abhishek is the same as Raman Singh's address.
Advertisement
This charge has also been refuted by Mr Singh and his son Abhishek.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Who Is Abhishek Singh, Ex-IAS Officer Under Fire Over Disability Claim After Puja Khedkar, Ex-IAS Officer Abhishek Singh Under Fire Over Disability Claim India vs Zimbabwe Live Streaming 4th T20I Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch Match Live? Under-Fire Trainee IAS Officer Accuses Pune Collector Of Harassment "No Defamatory Remarks Against Governor": High Court To Mamata Banerjee Trainee IAS Officer Puja Khedkar Recalled To Academy, Training Put On Hold Elon Musk To Move Companies Out Of California Over Transgender Law Four In Five Americans Fear Country Is Sliding Into Chaos: Polls Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Launched In India; Prices Start At Rs. 2.39 Lakh Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.