Choppy Budget session ahead as BJP compares helicopter deal with Bofors

NEW DELHI: With the Italian investigations showing that bribes were paid in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal with India, the Opposition has made its intentions to corner the government in the coming budget session.

The timing of the revelation – that around Rs 368 crore was paid by Finmeccanica to middlemen for facilitating the contract for 12 VVIP choppers – is most discomforting for the government as it comes amid allegations of a CBI prosecutor’s nexus with one of the accused in the 2G spectrum scandal case.

BJP and Left leaders alleged that despite repeated interventions to probe the chopper deal, the government did precious little to book the middlemen. BJP recalled the Bofors scam and demanded that the government disclose the names of those who received kickbacks.

"It is a Bofors-like case. When bribe-giver has been caught, why can't the bribe-taker be identified. Till when will the Indian government save the bribe-takers… BJP will raise the issue in the budget session of Parliament and seek a reply from the government to identify who bribe-takers are and who are protecting them," Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, told reporters in New Delhi.

Congress said that if there was any wrongdoing, those involved in it would be punished.

"It is the best helicopter available in this sector. It is bought at a price, which is extremely competitive in its sector. The Italy government has found certain instances where commission or bribe has been paid for which they have taken action. The moment the Government of India came to know, they have set up a CBI investigation," said Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh.

The Opposition’s belligerence over the issue indicated its plans to ensure that the spotlight stayed on corruption-related issues. With competition for Middle India’s vote turning intense, the Opposition is hoping for rich dividends by projecting the UPA government as corrupt. Civil society activists may also fuel anger against the government with agitations.

Opposition parties are also attempting to draw the Congress leadership to the firing line.

"This deal raises a serious question. There was one gentleman Ottavio Quattrochhi from Italy who was involved in the Bofors scam. Several attempts were made to protect him. This helicopter company is also from Italy. Was this a factor in no probe being done in the matter for the past one year," BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad asked.

The Left demanded scrapping of the contract saying it was the latest instance of the UPA’s failure to check ‘high-level corruption’ in defence deals over the past eight years.

"The contract should be cancelled. There will be no harm if the helicopters for VVIPs come a little late. No one will be affected," CPM general secretary Prakash Karat said.