VVIP Chopper scam: Take action if there is evidence, says former defence minister AK Antony

Hitting back at BJP for targeting Congress leadership over the AgustaWestland chopper deal, former defence minister A K Antony on Saturday dared the Narendra Modi government to take "strong" action against "bribe givers and takers" if there was any evidence.

Asserting that no names were revealed in the Italian court which convicted former employees of AgustaWestland for giving bribes in the deal, he said, "At every stage in the Italian court, our lawyer represented the case. They cross examined all witnesses. At no stage, names were revealed. My question is now -CBI is with present government, ED (Enforcement Directorate) is with present government. Why delay, if there is evidence?" he told reporters.

When asked about BJP launching an all-out attack against Congress on the issue, he said, "Take strong action against bribe givers and bribe takers."

Antony, who is in Kerala to launch the party's election campaign for the May 16 Assembly poll, said, "The Italian court has convicted the bribe giver. Please take action against the bribe taker. CBI, ED are all with them."

Seeking to turn the tables, the Congress Working Committee member said "the bribe giver-- the company, is part of the 'Make in India campaign' of the NDA government." BJP has been targeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi and other leaders on the chopper deal during the UPA II regime.

Congress has alleged that it was a political conspiracy to malign the party leadership in the chopper deal.