Cong, BJP play blame game, AAP says both hand-in-glove

NEW DELHI:While the Congress today demanded an apology from BJP president Amit Shah for “misleading” the country in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, the BJP claimed Congress chief Sonia Gandhi “overrode” then Defence Minister AK Antony who had objected to relaxations extended to the company regarding field trials.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 30

While the Congress today demanded an apology from BJP president Amit Shah for “misleading” the country in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, the BJP claimed Congress chief Sonia Gandhi “overrode” then Defence Minister AK Antony who had objected to relaxations extended to the company regarding field trials.

“Shah has called AugustaWestland and its parent company Finmecanica bogus. Will he tell us why the BJP government has been protecting this bogus company for the past two years with the CBI and ED investigation reaching no conclusion? And why the government allowed these bogus firms to enter into defence deals in India?” Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said on a day when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the UPA had never blacklisted Agusta.

BJP spokesman GVL Narsimha Rao said Antony had questioned the rationale behind allowing the firm to conduct the field trial of choppers on its premises and not in India, an initial condition in the RFP (request for proposals). “Antony had questioned the proposal to have the field trial abroad. This is what the CAG report also cites...Who in the UPA government or in the Congress other than Sonia Gandhi and her adviser Ahmad Patel has the authority to override Antony, his objections?” he said.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party announced to gherao the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sonia Gandhi on May 7.

At a press conference, AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that the deal was struck during the NDA regime and further deals took place subsequently indicating the role of both Congress and BJP leaders in the scam. AAP leader Ashutosh said the Centre should accept the Congress’ demand to complete the investigation in two months.

(Amit) Shah has called AugustaWestland and its parent company Finmecanica bogus. Will he tell us why the BJP government has been protecting this bogus company for the past two years with the CBI and ED probe reaching no conclusion? - Randeep Surjewala, Congress Leader

(AK) Antony had questioned the proposal to have the field trial abroad... Who in the UPA government or in the Congress other than Sonia Gandhi and her adviser Ahmad Patel has the authority to override Antony, his objections? - GVL Narsimha Rao, BJP Spokesman

The deal was struck during the NDA regime and further deals took place subsequently, indicating the role of both Congress and BJP leaders in the scam - Sanjay Singh, AAP Leader