New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Congress party on Wednesday asked the Narendra Modi government whether a company owned by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar had signed any contract with the defence ministry to push its business agenda.
In a statement released to the press, the party asked whether Axiscades Engineering Technology Limited had signed any contract with Defence ministry. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera told reporters that Axiscades Engineering was a company that provided technology solutions to aerospace, defense, heavy engineering, automotive and industrial production sectors. This company was a subsidiary of Jupitar Capital, Khera said.
He also said that Chandrashekhar had been a member of the Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence. "This not only gives him legitimised access to sensitive information but also gives him a decisive voice on matters of India's defense planning, strategy and expenditure," Khera added.
Chandrashekhar's office declined to comment on the Congress statement by the Congress or the spokesman's allegations.
Without providing any insight or details into the allegations, Khera said that Chandrasekhar was the founder of Jupiter Capital, an investment firm managing a portfolio of roughly $1 billion.
"There have also been stories of the various business interests of Rajeev Chandrasekhar," Khera added, saying Chandrasekhar's Jupiter Capital controls several media products like Asianet News, Suvarna News, web portal Newsable, newspaper Kannada Prabha and Goswami-led Republic TV.
Referring to Chandrasekhar and Goswami as the "Vikram and Baital" of the BJP, the party said in its statement that they had been at the forefront of "pushing the agenda and hate-mongering narrative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and the RSS."
It further said: "Prime time after prime time, we see stories that are meant to spread enmity amongst communities and protect the government from uncomfortable questions."
It also sought reply on what action the Maharashtra Police had taken on the FIR lodged against Republic TV co-founder Arnab Goswami in an abetment to suicide case.
Citing the FIR against Republic TV head Goswami, lodged by Akshata Anvay Naik at Allibaug Police Station in Mumbai charging him with abetment to suicide of her husband, the party asked what action had been taken against him. Naik had said that her husband had taken his own life after failing to receive due payments from Republic TV. Khera alleged that the Maharashtra police was protecting Goswami.
Khera also alleged: "In October, 2016 there was a report in a popular website that exposed a leaked email by Amit Gupta, COO of Jupiter Capital. This email was sent to the editorial heads of the media outlets owned by Jupiter Capital, and it said 'all editorial talent to be hired with a summary of bio to be sent to CXO Office for views and guidance.
"The candidate should be, right of center in his/her editorial tonality- pro-India, pro-military, aligned to chairman's ideology, views and should be aware of his governance reforms; - well familiarised with his thoughts on nationalism and governance". This statement was later retracted by Gupta." added the Congress leader.
The party also said that in 2007, another subsidiary of Jupiter Capital won the contract to build an airport aviation training facility at former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda's constituency, Hassan.
"The airport meant to be completed in 18 months is not yet complete. The airport was given a 30-year lease 536 acre at surprisingly low price of Rs 1,100 per acre per year. At the time of finalisation of deal, Gowda's son Ravanna, was heading the agency to oversee the project," said Khera.
