Praful Patel hits back at Nira Radia following accusations

Lashing out at lobbyist Nira Radia, civil aviation minister Praful Patel tonight dubbed her as an "economic terrorist" accusing her of having "vested interests" and a "personal agenda."

"You want me to comment on lobbies and their agents and what they have said. They have vested interests and a personal agenda," Patel said when asked to comment on new leaked tapes containing purported conversation of Radia with Rajya Sabha member NK Singh in which the NCP leader has been accused of working for private airlines. Patel also called Radia an "economic terrorist."

Reacting to Patel's comments, a spokesperson of Vaishnavi Corporate Communications, which is headed by Radia, described the remarks as "irresponsible and baseless."

"It greatly pains and offends us when persons of higher authority makes such irresponsible and baseless comments. However, we have no intention to enter into any meaningless war of words on the issue," the spokesperson said.

In the tapes, Radia reportedly tells Singh that Praful Patel has "destroyed the (aviation sector). I am sorry I do have a view about it. I do not think he has done justice with the sector."

To this, Singh replies," He has worked as a minister for Naresh Goyal (Jet Airways)."

Radia then says. "Yes, yes and now Vijay Mallya (Kingfisher airlines) at the cost of the national carrier."

Patel also said he is not bothered about "smear campaigns" and that "one has to live with it."