Sonia, Rahul Gandhi Never Interfered In Defence Deal, Says AK Antony

AK Antony comments came as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government accused the Congress party of defending Christian Michel, an alleged middleman, in AgustaWestland deal.

Outlook Web Bureau

Updated on: 31 December 2018 3:03 pm

Former defence minister and senior Congress leader AK Antony on Monday said Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi never interfered in any defence deals and accused the BJP of "manufacturing" lies.

"Government, BJP misusing agencies to manufacture lies. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi never interfered in defence deal," Antony told reporters.

AK Antony, Congress: As former Defence Min, during my time the procurement of #AgustaWestland took place. I would like to say, categorically, that Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi never interfered in deals&procurement. #AgustaWestland was selected after evaluation by team of officials pic.twitter.com/YKLTEch5HE
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2018

His comments came after the Congress and the BJP engaged in a slugfest on Sunday.

While the opposition party alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government were AgustaWestland's protectors and promoters, the saffron party accused it of defending Christian Michel, an alleged middleman in the deal, and asked why it was scared of a probe into the case.

AK Antony, Congress: Whenever media reported about corruption in a deal, we initiated an inquiry. We took decision to blacklist 5-6 powerful companies, including one American, Russian&Singapore company. That was our track record, but what is the track record of the present govt? pic.twitter.com/ANFY5jPNu3
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2018

While the Congress said it would probe the "collusion" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government with the company once it comes to power in 2019, the BJP condemned it for allegedly giving the issue a political colour. The ruling party asked why the name of a Gandhi family member cropped up whenever a foreigner was caught for corruption.

The war of words started a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) told a court that Christian Michel, an alleged middleman, had made a reference to "Mrs Gandhi".

Terming the ED an "embarrassing disaster" under the NDA, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that Modi and his government were a "protector, benefactor and promoter" of AgustaWestland.

PTI