Subramanian Swamy’s first intervention after his return to the Rajya Sabha as an MP plunged the Upper House into turmoil as he dragged Congress President Sonia Gandhi into the AgustaWestland chopper bribery issue.
This triggered protests from Congress MPs, who traded charges with their BJP counterparts. While the BJP sought an explanation from the Congress, the opposition party hit back, blaming the government for not completing the enquiry even after two years in power.
A few days ago, an Italian court reportedly confirmed corruption in the 2010 VVIP helicopter deal and that a part of the illicit funds flowed to officials in India. It allegedly named former Indian Air Force Chief S P Tyagi.
When the Rajya Sabha met after its first adjournment on Wednesday, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien ordered the expunction of Swamy's remarks.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi termed the allegations baseless. “I am not afraid of anyone cornering me as there is no basis to that. All the accusations they are throwing at us are false,” she told reporters. “Where are the proofs? They are lying. They are part of a strategy of character assassination…” she said, adding that “the government is there for the past two years. Inquiry is there, why don’t they complete it?”
Congress leaders rallied behind their leader, with former Defence Minister AK Antony urging the government to complete the investigation into the issue.
CBI in a tizzyThe Italy court’s order has sent the Central Bureau of Investigation into a tizzy, and prompted it to tap “diplomatic channels” to obtain the formal court order. “We have made a formal request for the copy of the Italian court order. We will go through the judgment and then take decisions accordingly,” a CBI spokesperson told BusinessLine . Most of the investigation was completed some time back. If new leads emerge, they may be acted upon after studying the order, the spokesperson noted.