All allegations false, have nothing to hide: Sonia Gandhi on VVIP chopper controversy

Sonia Gandhi dares government to complete inquiry impartially and reveal truth

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has hit out against the BJP in the controversy surrounding the Rs 3600 cr VVIP chopper deal. Calling the allegations against her attributed to an order by an Italian court as false, Sonia Gandhi said that she has nothing to hide. 

"I am not afraid as there is no base. All the allegation are false. This government is there from last two years, why is the government not completing enquiry.... Complete inquiry impartially, truth will come out," said Sonia Gandhi as proceedings in Rajya Sabha came to a standstill.

The Agusta Westland VVIP helicopter scam resounded in the Rajya Sabha today with the Opposition Congress storming the well of the house, drowning out known Gandhi baiter and newly inducted Rajya Sabha member Subramaniam Swamy. No sooner had Swamy mentioned the name of Congress president Sonia Gandhi being cited as one of the “main accused” in a letter before an Italian court, Congress MPs raised slogans forcing two adjournments within the first hour itself of the house functioning. 

 

With the media being flooded with news reports about the Agusta Westland issue, it was well expected that the proceedings would be stormy with both the BJP led government and the Congress trading charges against each other. 

Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad first raised the issue in the house citing a news report in The Hindu newspaper demanding to know if indeed any meeting had occurred between the Indian PM and the Italian PM and a deal struck whereby the Italian marines would be freed in exchange for incriminating information against the Gandhis. Leader of the House and Finance minister Arun Jaitley, outrightly rejected the charges and said the “investigation is at an advanced stage” and the taker of the bribe has to be established. 

The ruling BJP has ensured that the Agusta Westland issue is used to corner the Congress and at the same time drown out the issue of “murder of democracy in Uttarakhand.”