Modi Govt made blacklisted AgustaWestland part of 'Make in India': Congress attacks BJP

Surjewala questioned in the press conference that why did PM Modi permit a blacklisted company like AgustaWestland to bid for 100 Naval helicopters for Indian Navy.

Randeep Surjewala. Photo: PTI (File)

Hitting back at the BJP government, after the Enforcement Directorate made claims about Christian Michel naming the ‘Gandhi family’ during interrogation, the Congress on Sunday alleged Modi government of being the benefactor and protector of AgustaWestland. Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the alleged middleman in the multi-million scam is being pressurised to take name of the Gandhi family. Surjewala alleged that Michel has been leveraged to take Congress’ name in order to be set free. He said that in the month of July certain media reports had claimed that Christian Michel’s sister and mother had revealed that the ED has pressurised him to make false and fabricated statements against Congress high-command. Interacting with mediapersons, Surjewala said: “Modi Government is the benefactor, protector, abettor and supporter of AgustaWestland.” Alleging BJP’s involvement in the AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper scam, Surjewala said: “The blacklisting of AgustaWestland was lifted by the Modi Government, which also made it a part of Make in India scheme.” He questioned why did PM Modi permit a blacklisted company like AgustaWestland to bid for 100 Naval helicopters for Indian Navy and  why did the government remove AgustaWestland and it's parent company Finmecccanica from the blacklist at the first place. “Modi Ji, how did your government lose all the cases internationally against Agusta Westland and why have you chosen not to appeal,” Surjewala quizzed. Earlier on Saturday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed that Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, has said that he was in touch with Congress’ Sonia Gandhi. However, the ED counsel did not clarify that in what context he took Sonia Gandhi’s name during the interrogation. An ED lawyer also said to the court that Michel spoke about ‘son of an Italian lady’ and how he will become the next prime minister of India, the reference being to Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Reacting to ED’s claim, the BJP had slammed Congress and said that the ‘truth is finally coming out.’