Bofors scandal not proved in Indian courts, was just a media trial: President Pranab

[Hindustani78]

Bofors scandal not proved in Indian courts, was just a media trial: President Pranab | Zee News
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - 09:37

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee has said that it has not been proven in any Indian court that the Bofors case was indeed a scandal. According to him, the Bofors 'scandal' was just a media trial.

The remarks have come just days before the President goes to Sweden for a visit.

Speaking to Swedish daily Dagens Nyhetter, Mukherjee said on being asked whether the Bofors case had been a media trial: "First of all - it is yet to be to be established that there was a scandal. No Indian court has established it. I was the defence minister of the country long after Bofors, and all my generals certified that this is one of the best guns we are having. Till today, Indian Army is using it. The so-called scandal which you talk of, yes, in the media, it was there. There was a media trial. But I'm afraid, let us not be too much carried by publicity."

The President refused to comment on whether the Bofors scam was only a media scandal, but added, "I do not know. I'm not describing it, you're putting that word. Don't put that word. What I am saying is that in media it was publicised. But up to now, no Indian court has given any decisive verdict about the alleged scandal."

The Indian government had inked the $285 million deal with Swedish arms company Bofors in 1986 to supply 155mm howitzer field guns.

However, Swedish media later claimed that Indian officials including politicians and defence personnel had received kick-backs to approve the deal. The scandal eventually led to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's defeat in elections three years later.

 

[GR!FF!N]

Kick back was real issue..nobody said Bofors was a bad gun.after Bofors,kick back surfaced in every major induction.

 

[wiseone2]

parnab was finance minister under indira gandhi

 

[ZooZoo]

1. Salman Khan didn't killed Buck, The buck shoot itself. Neither did he rammed poor
2. "0" rupee was loss in 2 G scam and Coal Scam and many other Scams..
Now
3. Money itself travelled from Boforse company and sit at Swiss Bank...

 

[GodToons]

Bofors scandal not proved in Indian courts, was just a media trial: President Pranab | Zee News
Last Updated: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 - 09:37

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee has said that it has not been proven in any Indian court that the Bofors case was indeed a scandal. According to him, the Bofors 'scandal' was just a media trial.

The remarks have come just days before the President goes to Sweden for a visit.

Speaking to Swedish daily Dagens Nyhetter, Mukherjee said on being asked whether the Bofors case had been a media trial: "First of all - it is yet to be to be established that there was a scandal. No Indian court has established it. I was the defence minister of the country long after Bofors, and all my generals certified that this is one of the best guns we are having. Till today, Indian Army is using it. The so-called scandal which you talk of, yes, in the media, it was there. There was a media trial. But I'm afraid, let us not be too much carried by publicity."

The President refused to comment on whether the Bofors scam was only a media scandal, but added, "I do not know. I'm not describing it, you're putting that word. Don't put that word. What I am saying is that in media it was publicised. But up to now, no Indian court has given any decisive verdict about the alleged scandal."

The Indian government had inked the $285 million deal with Swedish arms company Bofors in 1986 to supply 155mm howitzer field guns.

However, Swedish media later claimed that Indian officials including politicians and defence personnel had received kick-backs to approve the deal. The scandal eventually led to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's defeat in elections three years later.

My 2 penny thought President observation:
- Politically correct statement before Sweden visit
- Politically incorrect statement coming from India's first person where kickbacks were established in lieu of deal making

 

[Hindustani78]

My 2 penny thought President observation:
- Politically correct statement before Sweden visit
- Politically incorrect statement coming from India's first person where kickbacks were established in lieu of deal making

Have you read the statement of the Swedish defense minister ?

 

[GodToons]

Have you read the statement of the Swedish defense minister ?

No, can please you share

 

[Hindustani78]

No, can please you share

Its Swedish Prime Minister statement.

Sweden's defence forces have demonstrated their readiness and have a plan for action in the case of possible Russian aggression, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Leuven said when asked to comment on his country's participation in the Arctic Challenge Exercise of air defenses, news agency RBK-Ukraine has reported.

The defense [forces] always have a plan of action and a possible solution in the case of Russian provocations in the air. It depends on the situation. These are [just] exercises, and we believe that our defense capability is in readiness and [we have] a plan of action in the case of possible Russian aggression," Leuven said.

 

[Hindustani78]

India asks Swedish daily to withdraw President Pranab's remarks on Bofors scam | Zee News
Wednesday, May 27, 2015 - 17:14

New Delhi: India has reportedly asked Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter to withdraw President Pranab Mukherjee's remarks made on the Bofors case.

The Swedish daily had published President's remarks made during an interview to its editor-in-chief Peter Wolodarski, in which Mukherjee reportedly stated that the Bofors scandal had not been proved in any Indian court and that the case had just been a media trial.

Dagens Nyheter claimed that Indian envoy to Sweden and Latvia Banashri Bose Harrison has written a letter to it asking the paper to delete the reference made to Bofors case.

The Swedish daily said the Indian envoy even warned that the controversy over President's remarks could even affect his state visit later this week.

Mukherjee is leaving for Sweden on May 31 for a state visit. He was invited by the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf.

In the letter dated May 25, 2015, Bose reportedly said that the newspaper failed to show the President the “courtesy and respect” that he deserves as the head of state.

“It was both unprofessional and unethical on your part to include in the report an off the record correction made by the President after the interview had ended, about a slip of the tongue during the interview.”

The newspaper has, however, defended the publication of President's remarks.

“In a telephone conversation with DN (Dangens Nyheter) prior to the publication of the article the Ambassador made a direct request that DN was to retract sections of the interview mentioning Bofors. She also warned that the planned state visit was at risk of being cancelled,” Dangens Nyheter said in a report published on its website.

The report further quotes Wolodarski as telling the Indian ambassador “...that we couldn’t accept her demands. The President became engaged and was upset when Bofors was mentioned during a question regarding how we can avoid corruption today. Of course we had to tell our readers about his reaction”.

“The reactions in Indian media show that his answers are of public interest, even more so in India than in Sweden,” the report adds.

Reacting to the Indian protest, Wolodarski says: “I find the Ambassador’s reaction regretful. It is surprising that someone representing the world's largest democracies is trying to micromanage which questions we should ask a head of state, and which answers should be published.”

Speaking to Dagens Nyhetter, Mukherjee had said on being asked whether the Bofors case had been a media trial: "First of all - it is yet to be to be established that there was a scandal. No Indian court has established it. I was the defence minister of the country long after Bofors, and all my generals certified that this is one of the best guns we are having. Till today, Indian Army is using it. The so-called scandal which you talk of, yes, in the media, it was there. There was a media trial. But I'm afraid, let us not be too much carried by publicity."

The President had refused to comment on whether the Bofors scam was only a media scandal, but had added, "I do not know. I'm not describing it, you're putting that word. Don't put that word. What I am saying is that in media it was publicised. But up to now, no Indian court has given any decisive verdict about the alleged scandal."

The Indian government had inked the $285 million deal with Swedish arms company Bofors in 1986 to supply 155mm howitzer field guns.

However, Swedish media later claimed that Indian officials including politicians and defence personnel had received kick-backs to approve the deal. The scandal eventually led to then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's defeat in elections three years later.

 

[Hindustani78]

Last Updated: Thursday, May 28, 2015 - 18:18
President's remarks on Bofors not relevant to Sweden visit: MEA | Zee News


New Delhi: The reported controversial remarks of President Pranab Mukherjee on Bofors issue to a Swedish daily have no bearing on his upcoming tour of Sweden, the first State visit, , beginning on May 31, External Affairs Ministry said here on Thursday.


At a media briefing on the upcoming visit of the President to Sweden and Belarus, Navtej Sarna, Secretary (West) in MEA, shot down in a diplomatic style the questions on Mukherjee's reported remarks that Bofors was a "media trial".

"The status, I have just been, for the last 20 minutes, telling you. But I am happy to repeat it full 20 minutes if you like. We are keenly looking forward to the first-ever President of India visit to Sweden and Belarus," Sarna said.

He was responding to questions whether the interview had cast any shadow on Mukherjee's visit to Sweden.

President's Press Secretary Venu Rajamony added: "It is evident to you the preparations are fully underway for the visit of President to Sweden and Belarus."

Reporters again put questions on the interview given by the President to Swedish Daily 'Dagens Nyhetter' and in response Sarna said, "let me just do it once and I am not taking any more questions on this. This subject (interview) is not relevant to the visit of the President to Sweden and Belarus. So let us concentrate on what the visit is about.

"We are here to talk to you about the visit. And we are happy to talk to you about the visit at any length that you like."

It was pointed out by reporters that India's Ambassador to Sweden Banashri Bose Harrison had reportedly threatened the Swedish daily that if it published off-record conversation, it may put to risk the forthcoming visit to the President.

External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup immediately said, "no such threat had been made".

Mukherjee's remarks on Bofors issue to the Swedish daily sparked off a controversy and India protested to the newspaper for reporting a "slip of tongue" and off-record comments made by the President.

During the interview, ahead of his visit to Sweden next week, Mukherjee had said the Bofors wasn't a scandal, but rather a publicity "trial".

Allegations that kickbacks were paid in the procurement of 155mm howitzer field Bofors guns from Sweden had plagued the Rajiv Gandhi government in the late 1980s and had become a big election issue in 1989 in which the former Prime Minister had to face defeat.

Mukherjee will be undertaking a five-day visit to Sweden and Belarus from May 31.

"The visit (to Sweden) is on. It's been on all the time and its going to go on...There has been no change in that decision. There has been no change in that planning and I will request you to see the main focus of the visit and to keep your eye on the main focus and not on trivia," Sarna said.

In reply to a question whether the President would be visiting BAE Systems, a company which took over Bofors that had been blacklisted by India, Sarna said "There is no plan of the President to visit any of the factories."

Asked whether defence cooperation between India and the two countries -- Sweden and Belarus -- was high on agenda, the official replied "naturally there will be a discussion on all aspects of 'Make in India'. And defence is one area of possible cooperation with several countries under the Make in India regime and after the FDI base line have been changed. So I am certain there would be a discussions."

At the same time, he said, "But it is not a defence related visit. It is an overall visit of the President in which broad discussions on possible cooperation on several areas whether it is smart cities, renewable energy, defence, environmental issues regional issues climate change. All these would be discussed. So as part of it generally there would be a discussion."

The President will be accompanied by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Hans Raj Ahir, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and BJP MP Ashwani Kumar besides Vice Chancellors of seven Universities.

A 60-member delegation from business community will be flying to Sweden and Belarus separately and join the President's delegation for promoting 'Make in India' campaign and look for investments from these countries.

This is the first State visit to the two countries during which the President will also be visiting a smart city in Sweden besides holding talks with his counterpart King Carl Gustaf XVI, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Liven and the Leader of Opposition Anna Kornberg Betray.

PTI

 

[desimorty]

He should not be president and since he holds this position why is going to Sweden? is he establishing defence ties which is not longer his job or is he there to give a speech? because as far as motivational speeches are concerned, Dr. Abdul has him beat. How did this moron become president again?

 

[Hindustani78]

He should not be president and since he holds this position why is going to Sweden? is he establishing defence ties which is not longer his job or is he there to give a speech? because as far as motivational speeches are concerned, Dr. Abdul has him beat. How did this moron become president again?

You should not use such language for the President of Republic of India.

 

[kadamba-warrior]

He should not be president and since he holds this position why is going to Sweden? is he establishing defence ties which is not longer his job or is he there to give a speech? because as far as motivational speeches are concerned, Dr. Abdul has him beat. How did this moron become president again?

Though I respect the office that he holds, this person was the most overrated and incompetent minister of his time. Shrewd politician, he may be but not competent!

I still remember the smirk on this guy's face when it was reported that all the Swiss bank accounts that were alleged to be holding black money had gone almost empty after the news of persecution.

Didn't do a thing as Foreign Minister either when Mumbai was burning for more than 3 days in 2008 - even as a Pakistani terrorist was caught alive with direct links to Pakistani terror machinations.

 

[Hindustani78]

Though I respect the office that he holds, this moron was the most overrated and incompetent minister of his time. Shrewd politician, he may be but not competent!

I still remember the smirk on this guy's face when it was reported that all the Swiss bank accounts that were alleged to be holding black money had gone almost empty after the news of persecution.

Didn't do a thing as Foreign Minister either when Mumbai was burning for more than 3 days in 2008 - even as a Pakistani terrorist was caught alive with direct links to Pakistani terror machinations.

You should avoid using such language. I will never disrespect any President or Prime Minister of Republic of India.

 

[GodToons]

Its Swedish Prime Minister statement.

Sweden's defence forces have demonstrated their readiness and have a plan for action in the case of possible Russian aggression, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Leuven said when asked to comment on his country's participation in the Arctic Challenge Exercise of air defenses, news agency RBK-Ukraine has reported.

The defense [forces] always have a plan of action and a possible solution in the case of Russian provocations in the air. It depends on the situation. These are [just] exercises, and we believe that our defense capability is in readiness and [we have] a plan of action in the case of possible Russian aggression," Leuven said.

Irrelevant to context..