Even as the Congress is on the backfoot over the aborted Augusta Westland helicopter deal, Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has come to its rescue saying the BJP was trying to develop the issue into another Bofors like scandal.
"The BJP has once again raked up the issue akin to Bofors. These are raised by parties either in power or in opposition, when they fall short of issues to go to the people. I appeal to the BJP to not to make a big scandal out of the chopper deal,’’ said Khan in Rampur on Sunday.
On his tussle with Governor Ram Naik, the Minority Affairs minister said, "If the Governor is unhappy then I would meet and explain my stand to persuade him. If the Governor wants to persuade me then he should give his approval to pending bill relating to municipal bodies.’’
Reiterating his charge against the Governor that he was protecting Mayors of the BJP, Khan said, "Why is the Governor protecting them by withholding his approval to the Bill. Just for few Mayors, he is damaging the interests of the masses. The UP government wants to change archaic laws governing the of the urban local bodies for public interest.’’
Khan said, "Even if the Governor wants my dismissal from cabinet, I respect him as he is a senior citizen and I have nothing against him."
The Governor hasbeen unhappy over remarks by Khan during the Budget session of the Assembly casting aspersions on his integrity. The Governor had summoned the CD of Assembly proceedings and had said that Khan was not fit to be a minister. later Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey met him to prevent the situation from turning into a crisis. Following the Governor's objections, the comments of Khan were expunged from the proceedings.