CPI questions BJP on chopper scam

CPI today sought to know why the NDA government remained 'silent' over AgustaWestland helicopter deal in the last two years despite saying 'an invisible hand' prevented proper investigation in the matter.
"Why did the BJP government remain silent for 24 months when a BJP Minister (Manohar Parrikar) himself has said that an invisible hand prevented probe in the chopper deal," CPI General Secretary P Sudhakar Reddy told reporters here.
Replying to a question about Parrikar's statement in Parliament that it appeared an invisible hand was guiding action or inaction of CBI and ED" in the AgustaWestland deal for supply of VVIP choppers, he said: "I do not think they are ready to explain who is behind this (issue)."

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the blackmoney issue, Reddy said he could not bring back even a mere Rs 15 black money deposited overseas.
"Modi before becoming Prime Minister promised that he will bring back all black money deposited overseas. But he did not even bring Rs 15 of black money", the CPI leader charged.
Expressing hope that the Left would get majority in West Bengal in the ongoing assembly elections, he said, in Tamil Nadu it was a "very crucial" election.

CPI is a part of the four-party People's Welfare Front which has tied-up with actor-politician Vijayakant's DMDK and Tamil Maanila Congress led by G K Vasan for the polls.

"After the formation of PWF, there were media reports that it will not be successful. But these have been proved wrong. With this front, we hope we will certainly gain majority in the state," he said.
Appealing to the Tamil Nadu people to reject both AIADMK and DMK, he alleged "the leaders in both AIADMK and DMK were politically and personally corrupt, and were not able to run the government".
Observing that the freebies offered by AIADMK in its manifesto had taken everyone by "surprise", he said, before elections Jayalalithaa makes all kind of promises.
"She is desperate to form government once again. But people are not beggars. Allow them to stand on their legs. From where you are going to get money for distributing such freebies?" he asked.