Mumbai: Retired naval chief Admiral L Ramdas on Thursday refuted Prime Minister Narendra Modi''s claim that former prime minister late Rajiv Gandhi and his family had enjoyed a family cruise on board aircraft carrier ''INS Viraat''.
In a detailed statement here, Admiral Ramdas, who was Chief of Naval Staff then, said the late prime minister had gone on an official trip to the Lakshadweep Islands to chair a meeting of the Islands Development Authority (IDA), which is held alternatively between Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands.
"There were no parties held on INS Viraat or any of the other four warships accompanying the erstwhile aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy and no foreigners accompanied Rajiv Gandhi, nor did current Congress president Rahul Gandhi accompany them then," said Admiral Ramdas, who is now settled in Raigad, adjoining Mumbai on the mainland.
Giving further details, he said the statement was issued after collating various responses from his former senior naval colleagues - Admiral Arun Prakash, Vice-Admiral Vinod Pasricha and Vice-Admiral Madanjit Singh - all of whom were serving in the Western Fleet during the events referred to (by Mr Modi), nearly 32 years ago.
At an election rally in New Delhi, Mr Modi had referred to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and charged him with using the INS Viraat for a personal cruise, lasting 10 days to the Lakshadweep Islands, with his family and in-laws (Sonia Gandhi''s family).
|