PM sacrificed national interest, not Congress: Former defence minister A K Antony
New Delhi: Former defence minister A K Antony on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of sacrificing national interests and urged him “not to politicise” the armed forces.
The Congress leader also accused the prime minister of “ignoring” the report of a committee that had said there were irregularities in the selection of L-1 in the Rafale deal and had called for its withdrawal.
At a time when the security forces were still fighting at the borders, the BJP president was giving out operational details of the armed forces action, which was very unfortunate, Antony said.
“Even now our soldiers died, that details only Army and CRPF can explain, not BJP spokesman or BJP president. It is very very unfortunate.
“Don’t politicise the armed forces. Don’t bring the military in the politics. I request the BJP president, I request the prime minister don’t politicise the Army. As a former defence minister, I am telling them,” he told reporters
“No other leader but our prime minister is touring the country and is spreading misinformation. Yesterday, he has gone to the extent of saying Congress compromised the national security, accused Congress of delaying the Rafale deal for commission,” he said.
The former defence minister accused the prime minister of ignoring the report of the committee instituted by him to look into alleged irregularities pointed out by Subramanian Swamy and Yashwant Sinha, who was then in the BJP.
After the complaint of Swamy and Sinha, and some members of the Contract Negotiating Committee, “a committee of experts found irregularity in the process of L-1. So, they categorically recommended that this must be withdrawn,” he alleged,.
“Why didn’t the government go through the recommendation of the committee appointed by the previous UPA Government to look into the irregularities alleged by Subramanian Swamy and Yashwant Sinha and three CNC Members. He can reject it, he can accept it but he should explain to the nation why he has ignored the report?” he asked.
Accusing the Prime Minister of giving concessions to the French vendor, Antony said he must answer these questions.
“This is high time for the Prime Minister to answer my questions purely on the basis of the CAG Report. He should answer why without examining the recommendation of the Committee, ignoring that, why he went to France to enter this agreement and get all these concessions to the French Government. In fact, the Prime Minister sacrificed our national interest, according to me,” he alleged. PTI
Press Trust of India
