Kolkata: Defence Minister, Niramala Sitharaman, made a scathing reply to Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s continuous attack against Narendra Modi concerning Rafale deal. She said that the Congress president must first clarify about AgustaWestland scam and BackOps Limited, which were corruptions done during the UPA era.
The Defence Minister said that apex court of the country had given its verdict on Rafale deal and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has given a favourable report.
She added that it is the Congress which has to answer for its corruptions during the UPA rule. She demanded that Rahul Gandhi answer on credible evidences against his involvement in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam and the defence deal given to Rahul Gandhi’s former partner in his now closed down company, Backops Limited.
BackOps Services Private Limited, was opened in India in 2002, with Priyanka Vadra and Rahul Gandhi as the directors. In 2003, another company called Backops Limited was incorporated in the United Kingdom by Rahul Gandhi and Ulrik McKnight.
Reports suggest that while Rahul Gandhi had a share of 65% in the company and McKnight had a 35% stake it. The company closed down in 2009 and McKnight moved to another company.
However, McKnight’s new company grabbed a high level offset contracts from French defence supplier Naval Group against Scorpene submarines in 2011.
BJP National President, Amit Shah, had questioned the role of Rahul Gandhi in awarding defence deal during the time of UPA government to a company linked to Gandhi’s former partner Ulrik McKnight.
The AgustaWestland scam involves a Rs. 3600 crore to buy 12 VVIP choppers. Bribes were allegedly given to top Congress leaders and officials to swing the deal in favour of the company.
Investigations are moving against the top leadership of the Congress party during 2006 and 2007 when money was flowed to bride the leadership.
Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed concern about the attacks on BJP candidates on polling day. She accused the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, for violating democratic values in the state.
She said, “Violence which is being perpetrated by the TMC workers is a cause of concern. Didi at the end of the day screams about democracy, she is the one who is violating it now.”
