Both Congress and BJP have been sparring over the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland chopper deal. (File photo)
Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Sunday said before Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar places detailed chronology about the controversial AgustaWestland chopper deal in Parliament on May 4, he should first answer why the Narendra Modi government and he "undo the blacklisting" of the company.
"Does Modiji and Parrikarji not realise they are in power? Is CBI not with Central government? Is Enforce Directorate not with Central government? Why has the Modi government undone the blacklisting of AugustaWestland? Why Manohar Parrikarkji is not answering," he told reporters.
Mr Parrikar also should answer why within 40 days of banning the company, he passed an order re-permitting the company to participate through a sub-contractor.
"The Defence Ministry banned the company (AugustaWestland) on 3rd July, 2014. Within 40 days, on 22nd August 2014, the Defence Minister passed an order permitting it to participate again through a vendor or a sub-contractor. Will Parrikarji answer why he did that," Mr Surjewala asked.
In Panaji, Mr Parrikar on Sunday said all facts along with the detailed chronology about the controversial AgustaWestland chopper deal before Parliament on 4 May.
Mr Parrikar, in countering the allegations levelled by Congress, questioned why the company was not blacklisted by then UPA government and why no action was taken against it till 2014?
Mr Surjewala alleged that the Foreign Investment Promotion Board once again gave permission even after the company was banned, which was informed through a press release issued by the Defence Ministry on October 2015.
"All these questions should be answered by Prime Minister. Manohar Parrikarji cannot brush this aside. Generally the Prime Minister speaks on every issue. Why is he now maintaining a staid silence," he said.
"Mudslinging and muck-raking has been the character of the Modi government. Mudslinging and muck-raking is not a substitute for truth because the truth will always stand," he said.
Please show an iota of evidence. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley completely denies on the floor of the Parliament. He says we have not been able to identify anyone," he argued.
"Outside the Parliament, however, the BJP and their spokespersons indulge in mud-slinging, muck-raking, false allegations and unfounded facts. You can't have a media trial. That's why we said let lasting truth prevail, not leaking lies" he said.
Mr Surjewala said levelling allegations against Congress leadership is reprehensible and condemnable, and mudslinging and muck-raising has become BJP's character.