It took time to recognise Arvind Kerjiwal though I had worked shoulder to shoulder in name of elimination of corruption from public life with him, said Supreme Court lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan on Saturday while interacting with media persons at Raipur Press Club here on Saturday.
He said though things were moving after formation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), even criminals were being given party ticket and things then did not move as desired. Corruption also creeped in and the Lokpal for which the fight was on was abandoned. So, I slowly left the party, said Bhushan.
On difference between Bofors and Rafale deal, he said, “ Bofors deal was around Rs 64 crore bribery scam but the national security and concerns was not compromised; but in Rafale deal, it is kickback of Rs 20,000 crores and it may be through different modes but here point is security concerns have been compromised.”
The Indian Air Force had clearly stated that it requires 126 Rafale aircraft to upgrade its depleting strength to stand at two fronts. It has been reduced to 36 Rafale aircraft with double price. The issue of self-reliance has taken back-seat by branding HAL as incompatible, he said.
As per the PIL filed on the Rafale issue, the Supreme Court has sought the details of the deal and the price of aircraft, Bhushan said.
Bhushan citing example of Sudha Bharadwaj said she could have been a Judge but leaving aside a lucrative career, she worked for the downtrodden. So those raising voice against Government are being branded as ‘Urban Naxals’, he said.
Now even a circular has been issued by Government regarding those speaking on issue of anti-development, environmental issues, speaking for rights of people including NGOs can be branded as ‘anti-nationals’, Bhushan said.