Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Congress risks political isolation over AgustaWestland
BackBack

Congress risks political isolation over AgustaWestland

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which heads the NDA, has briefed its MPs in both Houses on various aspects of the AgustaWestland helicopter deal

The National Democratic Alliance targeted Congress in Parliament demanding disclosure of the beneficiaries of the alleged pay off. Photo: Priyanka Parashar/MintPremium
The National Democratic Alliance targeted Congress in Parliament demanding disclosure of the beneficiaries of the alleged pay off. Photo: Priyanka Parashar/Mint

New Delhi: The Congress is risking political isolation as more opposition parties, as well as the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), are demanding an investigation into allegations of payoffs in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

With the Rajya Sabha set to take up the matter for discussion on Wednesday and the Lok Sabha on Friday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which heads the NDA, has briefed its MPs in both Houses on various aspects of the deal.

The Congress, on its part, has signalled that it will respond with equal aggression to rebut the charges likely to be levelled against it during the debates.

“We have a very strong case. The allegations are baseless and the government needs to prove what they are accusing the Congress party of. There are newspaper reports that there was some understanding between the government of India and Italy over the (Italian) marines in exchange of information. We are going to bring this up during the debate," a senior Rajya Sabha leader from Congress said requesting anonymity.

Two Italian marines have been accused by India with the killing of two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012. While one of the marines has been allowed to return home for health reasons, Italy wants India to also release the second from detention.

The Congress, the same leader said, will also insulate the party leadership and demand evidence of any wrong doing.

“We know that some political parties are not going to support us, for instance TMC (Trinamool Congress) is fighting the electoral battle against us in Parliament because of (assembly elections in) West Bengal. It does affect the opposition’s unity in the House, but know that we are not guilty and we will categorically deny any involvement in it when it comes up for discussion," the leader added.

Nevertheless, opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party (SP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have also demanded an investigation into the 3,600 crore helicopter deal, making it difficult for the Congress to defend itself on the floor of the House.

“Such deals happen in all governments. Unlike the Congress or BJP, we will not politicize the issue, nor will we support them. Our party wants that all the details of the case should be made public and all the officers involved in the commissioning of the deal be punished to set the right example in front of the defence forces," said Rajesh Dixit, national secretary of SP.

The CPM, the largest party of the Left Front, has also demanded that the bribery allegations be investigated.

“The central government has to ensure that there are speedy investigations taken in the matter. Those who are involved in receiving kickbacks should be brought to trial," said a senior leader of the CPM.

This comes at a time when assembly elections are underway in the state of West Bengal where the Congress and CPM are jointly challenging the TMC.

“Two years after coming to power, the government has finally managed to break the opposition and to overcome the impression that the government cannot make Parliament function," said N. Bhaskar Rao, a New Delhi-based political analyst.

Last week, senior leaders of the NDA targeted the Congress leadership in the Houses of Parliament while demanding disclosure of the beneficiaries of the alleged pay off. The Milan court of appeals said on 8 April that the contract involved pay offs to Indian officials and found two AgustaWestland executives guilty of offering bribes.

In 2010, the Congress-led UPA government signed a deal with AgustaWestland for the purchase of 12 helicopters to ferry dignitaries. But it scrapped the deal after reports appeared in Italy saying the firm had paid kickbacks to Indian officials to clinch the deal.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Politics News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 04 May 2016, 12:32 AM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App