7 highlights from AgustaWestland debate

The Rajya Sabha on May 4 witnessed a heated debate between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress members over the Rs 3,600crore AgustaWestland scam. At the end of the short duration debate, while defence minister Manohar Parrikar was replying to the discussion, the Congress MPs boycotted the House when the government rejected their demand of a Supreme Court-monitored CBI inquiry into the scam.

The Congress was on the defensive, betraying nervousness, throughout the discussion. BJP's nominated member Subramanian Swamy and Parrikar were the star speakers from the treasury benches while Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Anand Sharma, Congress president Sonia Gandhi's political secretary Ahmed Patel and Parrikar predecessor AK Antony held the fort from the opposition benches.

Here are a few important quotes from the prominent speakers:

1. Abhishek Manu Singhvi

After Parrikar's brief opening remarks, Singhvi initiated the discussion on behalf of the Opposition benches. He said, "The 'AP' could stand for many people including the present chief minister of Gujarat," without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successor in Gujarat Anandiben Patel. He said even Guido Haschke, one of the alleged middlemen, had also claimed that he does not know what the initial 'AP' stands for.

Singhvi attributed "innuendos" against its leaders Sonia, her son Rahul Gandhi or Ahmed Patel to the "visceral hatred" of BJP. "The interest appears to be to keep the pot boiling, not to reach a conclusion and keep finger pointing," he said, accusing the BJP of evincing interest in finding the real culprits. Quoting the Italian judge, Singhvi said: "The judge who wrote this Italian judgment... the judge spoke extensively to a channel in India... He says 'We've no evidence against Sonia Gandhi, only a mention of her in the facts. The translation of the facts were sent to Mr Michell. Ms Gandhi has been indicated as someone who will fly in the VVIP helicopters. The same place is the mention of (former prime minister) Manmohan Singh'."

2. Subramanian Swamy

Swamy said, "One person in the Air Force (referring to former Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi) cannot be alone behind this. The Italian investigators reveal that Indian politician and bureaucrats were involved in the scandal.

"The first trait of corruption was out when the IAF decided to lower the service ceiling of the choppers. It was agreed to be 6,000 metres as the shoulder missiles cannot strike at such huge heights. However, national security was compromised by reducing the height to 4,500 metres in September 2006. But objective was that VVIPs should be able to fly to remote areas such as Siachen/North-East and, therefore, ought to fly at heights above 6000 metres and should be out range of shoulder rockets. It is a lie to say that NDA government was the one to change specification of height (of the helicopters). Objective of purchase was VVIPs will be able to fly at greater heights.

"Secondly, the parameters of cabin were changed to suit AgustaWestland. No helicopter in the world has a cabin height of more than 1.45 metres. But, here, the cabin height was deliberately changed to 1.8 metres. This is a crime. Changing the cabin height affects the functioning of helicopter," he said.

Swamy further alleged that AW-101 helicopters which were originally bought from AgustaWestland, were not used in field trials conducted in Italy. "Why was the field trial conducted in Italy? Maybe, it is a beautiful place that's why. But why wasn't the AW-101 aircraft used? This is a clear case of fraud," he said.

Swamy demanded the then prime minister Manmohan Singh to reveal the reason why India did not reveal all the documents before the Italian investigators. "I know he is personally a honest man. I don't doubt his integrity. But he listens easily to some people. That was his biggest minus point," he said.

3. Anand Sharma

"What has been said here, attributing motives, insinuations, innuendos are without any foundation, malicious and motivated. We know their agenda and we are determined to fight and expose that agenda. This is a democracy. What has been referred to, must be authenticated by the government, put here and scrutinised legally," he said.

4. Ahmed Patel

"If you can find even an iota of truth in all the accusations being made, I will give up public life and resign. And if anyone can prove that from this report, I will submit my resignation. My name only comes four times in the entire report. Does it say anywhere in the report that the Congress leaders have taken bribe?" he said.

5. AK Antony

"It is proved beyond doubt there was corruption in chopper deal. Act now. If you have all evidence, take action but don't threaten us, don't blackmail us. The decision to change the height was taken by then PMO and (NDA) government in 2003," he said.

6. Manohar Parrikar

"Inquiry will focus on the roles of those named in the judgment of Italian court. It appears an 'invisible hand' was guiding the action or inaction of CBI and ED," said the defence minister.

"The CBI registered an FIR in matter on March 12, 2013 based on reference made by the defence ministry. Trials were not conducted on chopper bought by India but another one as it was still at development stage. Country wants to know as to who instigated, supported and benefited from corruption, We can't let this pass... The fact that there was corruption in the matter is brought out in extensive details in recent judgments of Milan court,"he said.

7. Sharad Yadav [JD(U)]

"I am challenging everyone and saying that nothing will come out of this case," he said.