NEW DELHI: Defence minister A K Antony on Tuesday refuted reports about his resignation over alleged kickbacks in the over Rs 3600 crore VVIP helicopter deal and said he was getting ready for Parliament session.
"We have nothing to hide. We are prepared to face Parliament," Antony said.
"I am sad over the allegations of kickbacks despite taking all precautions at all stages," he added.
The defence minister said there was no political decision in defence procurement. He also clarified that there were no differences in government in dealing with the chopper deal issue. "The whole government is acting together," Antony said.
Earlier, sources said A K Antony is not part of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's delegation that will hold talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron during which defence deals are expected to come up for discussion.
The defence minister is not part of the delegation, ministry sources said. However, no reasons were given for Antony not being part of the delegation.
During the talks, the British side is expected to take up the issue of Eurofighter combat aircraft for India's requirement of 126 multi-role fighter planes for the IAF.
The controversial chopper deal involving Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland may also come up for discussion.
Antony said it was still too early to cancel the multi-crore deal with Italian company Finmeccanica over charges it paid bribes in clinching the sale of 12 helicopters to India.
He said the government would not go by media reports but would wait for evidence of any wrongdoing before acting. India placed the contract on hold last week.
He said: "The government has nothing to hide. We will find the truth and punish the guilty."
The defense ministry ordered investigations into the deal after Finmeccanica's chief executive was arrested in Milan on charges he paid bribes to obtain the contract. Giuseppe Orsi denies wrongdoing.
India signed the contract with the company's helicopter division, AgustaWestland, in 2010. Three of the 12 helicopters were delivered in December.
(Inputs from PTI and AP)
We have nothing to hide on VVIP helicopter deal, ready to face Parliament: Antony
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We have nothing to hide on VVIP helicopter deal, ready to face Parliament: Antony
