AgustaWestland helicopter deal: Bofors-like scam in making, says BJP, sees Rajiv Gandhi-type fireworks
Describing the AgustaWestland helicopter deal as one having the "makings of a second Bofors scam", BJP today asked the government as to how long it will "protect" bribe-takers and said it will raise the issue strongly during the Budget Session of Parliament - the Rajiv Gandhi government was put in the dock by former PM V P Singh for alleged bribes paid.
The main opposition also demanded that the helicopter deal should be reviewed and the supply of the remaining nine choppers be stopped till all doubts are cleared.
"It is a Bofors-like case. When bribe-giver has been caught, why can't the bribe-taker be identified. Till when will the Indian government save the bribe-takers,” said the party – after years of meandering through Indian and foreign courts, no proof was found to nail the alleged bribe-takers or givers in the gun deal.
"BJP will raise the issue seriously in the Budget Session of Parliament and seek a reply from the government to identify who the bribe-takers are and who are protecting them," Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley told reporters here.
His colleague and party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "This deal raises a serious question. There was one gentleman Ottavio Quattrochhi from Italy who was involved in the Bofors scam. Several attempts were made to protect him. This helicopter company is also from Italy. Was this a factor in no probe being done in the matter for the past one year?"
Though BJP did not spell out its strategy on the
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