UPA government should probe helicopter scam in totality: Murli Manohar Joshi

BJP leader Murli Monohar Joshi on Saturday said that if the UPA government wanted the upcoming session of Parliament to function, it should accept the demand for a probe in totality into the alleged kickbacks in the VVIP helicopter deal.

"Running Parliament is the responsibility of the government. If they want Parliament to function they should discuss the issue with us and accept our demand," Joshi told a press conference when asked whether BJP would stall Parliament on the issue.

Stating that the recent VVIP helicopter scam was reminiscent of the Bofors scam of the 1980s, he said, "This UPA regime is the most corrupt regime India has seen. The recent helicopter scam reminds me of the Bofor scandal.

"In Bofors scam the name of an Italian firm and some people had come out, in this helicopter scam also the name of an Italian firm has come out," he said.

Asked to react on reports in the Italian media that a 'family of India' was involved, he said, "I have not read these reports. So until and unless I verify it, I can't say anything."

In an obvious reference to Congress trying to shift the blame on the NDA government saying the process was initiated by it, Joshi accused the party of trying to divert attention from scams allegedly perpetuated by it.

"Whenever corruption or a scam comes out in the open, they blame other parties. They just want to play the blame game and save their backs," said Joshi.