Chopper deal: CBI probe not acceptable, says BJP

The BJP on Friday demanded a probe into the VVIP chopper deal by a Special Investigation Team monitored either by the Supreme Court or a parliamentary committee.

With accusing fingers also being pointed at itself, the main Opposition party said it had no problem with the probe covering the period when it was in power at the Centre.

“Congress is notoriously known for misusing CBI for partisan political ends. That’s why for BJP the suggestion of a CBI inquiry is not acceptable. Because, CBI has no credibility and the government’s intention is also doubtful,” senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters.

He said the government talked about a CBI inquiry only after a case was filed over the issue in Italy and the “revelations” came to light that “payments were made to Indian middlemen also”.

He wanted to know why the government acted belatedly despite the issue being raised in Parliament in 2011 and BJP MP Prakash Javadekar writing to the Defence Minister.

“We do not have confidence in CBI. Because we have seen how the CBI, the Governor’s institution, the Income Tax department, the Enforcement Directorate and all other organisations are being misused by the government. One, to harass political opponents, second, to keep its allies under control and third, to win over neutrals,” he alleged.

In New Delhi, BJP Secretary Balbir Punj told reporters: “The details coming out indicate a very serious conspiracy hatched at the top level which includes the bureaucracy, armed forces and most importantly the political leadership who were a part of it. All efforts are now being made to cover-up this conspiracy”.

He maintained that while the Indian government has been silent on this issue for so long, it is the Italians who took the initiative to uncover the scam.

“The Indian government is trying to divert attention from the scam and misguide people,” he said, insisting that “somebody very high” appears to be involved in the scam.

Defence Minister A K Antony had on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of huge kickbacks being paid to middlemen in the Rs 3600 crore deal for purchase of 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters for VVIP security.