Augustawestland deal: All scams, scandals took place during UPA regime, says BJP

New Delhi [India], Dec. 12 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata party leader Sambit Patra on Monday said all acts of corruption, scams and scandals took during the time of UPA regime (2004-2014). "In the two and a half years of the Modi government, we haven't heard of a single scam or scandal, not even an act of corruption. Today also, if an act of corruption or a scam or a scandal is being discussed, it is of the tenure of Mr.Manmohan Singh, tenure of the UPA. That was a humongous act of corruption during the Congress rule," he told ANI. Patra's statement comes in the backdrop of AugustaWestland chopper scam, involving former Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi. "As far as AgustaWestland is concerned the law is taking its own course and it should take its own course," said Patra. "The premise of this whole investigation is that bribe givers have been punished and are behind bars. We should be reminded of the fact that the then defence minister Mr. A.K. Antony had conceded to the fact that bribe had been received by India. Investigation is on" he added. Air Chief Marshal Tyagi was arrested on Friday over committing alleged irregularities in the Rs. 3,600 crore AgustaWestland deal to acquire a dozen VVIP choppers, such as changing the specifications of the helicopters, and stating that the decision was taken at the behest of the PMO. Tyagi, who headed the Indian Air Force between 2005 and 2007, has been accused by investigators in Italy and India of abusing his official position to swing the contract in favour of Finnmeccanica tender, the parent company of the UK-based helicopter maker AgustaWestland, by tailoring specifications.(ANI)