Have nothing to hide, allegations are baseless: Sonia Gandhi on AgustaWestland chopper scam

New Delhi, Apr 27: Hitting out at Narendra Modi government at Centre after BJP sought explanation from Congress over allegations of corruption in the AgustaWestland chopper deal, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said she has nothing to hide and the allegations against her are baseless.

Talking to media persons outside the Parliament Sonia Gandhi said, "We have nothing to hide. Let them take my name, I am not afraid. All allegations are baseless. This government is in power for 2 years now, why did they not complete the inquiry?"

"Allegations are baseless, it is part of their strategy of character assassination," Sonia Gandhi further added.

Congress has been paralysing proceedings in Rajya Sabha over the imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand.

Top BJP leaders had met on Tuesday to chalk out a strategy following reports that an Italian court, which has convicted AgustaWestland chief Giuseppe Orsi, has described how the firm paid bribes to certain Congress leaders to bag the Rs 3,600 crore deal.

Attacking Congress, Environment and Forests Minister Prakash Javadekar said that what has been revealed in Agusta Westland case is "very important and very serious" and that Congress owes an explanation.

He said that instead of disrupting Parliament, Congress should introspect on what "they have done to the country and explain what is the role of their leaders" in the case.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also targeted Congress, saying that those accused of paying bribes are in jail, but the alleged recipients are blocking the progress of the country. There should be a discussion on the matter so that facts can come out in the open, he said.

BJP raised the issue in Parliament.

OneIndia News