Opposition parties like JD(U), SP, BSP and others demanded an immediate fair probe to expose the names and unearth financial transaction, if any, involved in the AgustaWestland deal even while attacking the Modi Government for inaction in the issue in the last two years.
JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav criticised the entire episode and blamed the Government for not starting the probe and entering into a mudslinging match instead. “Court proceedings are happening in some other country and there is a war going on here. Why are there no arrests but only discussionsIJ What will you (the Defence Minister) sayIJ The way they (the Congress) were giving dates, you (the Government) will do the same,” Yadav said cornering the Government for involving in delaying tactics.
He also said the House was debating the chopper deal when there were other pressing issues of national importance like drought to be discussed.
SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav too remarked that it was not appropriate to sensationalise the issue. “Why hasn’t the Government taken action so farIJ You have been in power for two years now. Whose responsibility is it to find out where the money wentIJ” Ram Gopal said.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP supremo Mayawati said the people of the country want all the names of political bigwigs involved in the scam to come out in the open, adding that people want stringent punishment for them. “This scam should be monitored by the Supreme Court since politicisation of CBI has been well known to us. The probe should be quick, unbiased and under the supervision of the Supreme Court,” she said.
On his part NCP leader Majeed Memon said this scam has both political and legal fallout. “Unfortunately, we are only concerned about the political fallout. We need to investigate the precise nature of crime and the offenders since it is a very sensitive matter,” he said.
CPI leader D Raja asked the CBI to come up with a progress report on the VVIP chopper deal. “It has been two years since this party came to power. What progress has the CBI madeIJ” he asked.
TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy too sought to know why has no action been taken till now. “Those accused and holding constitutional authority should be punished,” Roy demanded.