Antony demands quick probe into AgustaWestland case

THRISSUR: Former Defence Minister

AK Antony

on Saturday said the Centre must take immediate steps to complete the probe into the charges of corruption in the helicopter deal with the AgustaWestland company.

He claimed that the previous UPA Government had initiated steps to blacklist the company, following suspicions of corruption in helicopter deal. However, those steps could not be taken as it was feared that such a move would not be effective as the case was pending in the Italian court.

The former Defence Minister said with the pronouncement of the Milan court order India can file suit in the international arbitration courts demanding huge compensation from the Italian company.

``Let there be a thorough and quick probe and action be taken against all those responsible for giving and taking bribe,’’ Antony said.

Antony alleged that the BJP government was trying to discredit the members of the Nehru-Gandhi family to decimate the Congress and thereby to ensure that they will not have any effective national level opposition.

He said the Congress has launched a two-pronged struggle against the anti-democratic and anti-people policies of the Centre within the Parliament and outside. The Parliament march conducted by the party on Friday was only a beginning of those struggles.
Antony attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi his promises to the people of Kerala during his election campaign in Palakkad on Friday. The Prime Minister had been neglecting the demands of Kerala during the last two years, he said.

Antony criticised the Centre for not declaring the recent Kollam temple fire tragedy a 'national disaster.'

He said BJP's entry into the Kerala Assembly would spell doom for the state which had a long-cherished history of communal amity.