The BJP is all set to mount a fresh attack on the UPA. The party indicated on Wednesday that it would raise the issue strongly in the coming session of Parliament.
Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said, "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 seriously in the Budget Session of Parliament and seek a reply from the government to identify who the bribe-takers are and who are protecting them."
"There was 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?" added BJP's chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.
The Congress however, is staying defiant.
Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said, "The purchase of Westland helicopter proposal was initiated during the NDA regime. 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."
{{/usCountry}}Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said, "The purchase of Westland helicopter proposal was initiated during the NDA regime. 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."
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the CBI on Wednesday received a reference from the ministry of defence (MoD), asking it to probe the chopper deal.
"We have got a very brief reference from the MoD that contained some press clippings. So we are in process of collecting more documents from the MoD to launch a probe," said an official.
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