Defence Minister Parrikar targets Congress over Agustawestland

New Delhi: The Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar targeted the Congress leadership over the Agustawestland helicopter deal, in Rajya Sabha, on Wednesday.

The minister stated, “it appears that an invisible hand was guiding the action or inaction of CBI and ED… the country wants to know who instigated, who supported and who benefited from the corruption… we cannot let this pass”.

The statement given by Parrikar resulted in a clash between Congress and the ruling party, followed by a walkout of congress leaders after their demand for a Supreme Court-monitored probe was rejected by the government.

His statements came in reply of former Defence Minister AK Antony’s words in Rajya Sabha.

The statements of AK Antony:

• During the Rajya Sabha proceedings, former Defence Minister, AK Antony acknowledged "corruption" in the AgustaWestland chopper deal said that the government should complete the cases and take strongest actions against whoever has taken the monry, instead of threatening the opposition party.
• “Complete the cases, blacklist the company, take strongest action against whoever has taken money… if you have evidence, take action, prosecute, but don’t threaten us,” stated the former Defence Minister.
• He said he had immediately acted after allegations of corruption surfaced in 2012.
• He also claimed it was the Vajpayee government which had taken all “major” decisions, including those on the parameters of cabin height and flying altitude of the helicopters.

Read: Are You Serious, Mrs. Gandhi? an opinion by Benul Beshak

What Manohar Parrikar said:

• Replying to the discussion, Parrikar said: “A litany of omissions and commissions at various stages of the decision-making process indicates corrupt actions, driven by the goal to favour a particular vendor.
• He stated that the Italy Court has declared there were omissions in various stages of decision-making.
• “The fact that corruption has occurred has been brought out in extensive details in the recent judgment of the Italy court,” said Parrikar.
• The minister also targeted Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate and said, “As far as the investigation by the CBI and ED is concerned, it is strange that the CBI which registered an FIR in the matter on 12th March, 2013, based on the reference made by the Ministry of Defence on 12th February, 2013, did not bother to forward a copy of the FIR to Enforcement Directorate for nine months… Even more strangely, the Enforcement Directorate did not act on the FIR until July 2014, after the exit of the UPA.”

Prime Minister's Tweets:

Yesterday's speech by RM @manoharparrikar in the Rajya Sabha was one of the best speeches, displaying best parliamentary traditions.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 5 May 2016

RM @manoharparrikar rose above politics & placed all relevant facts on the table. Urging you all to hear his speech. https://t.co/2YhvBDqn4o

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 5 May 2016

To read Mayawati's statement on AgustaWestland, click, अगस्ता पर माया बोलीं-सरकार के पास दो साल का समय था,पहले जांच करवा लेते