If you thought that Wikileaks would leave Indian politicians for their apparent acts of corruption and focus more on leaders from developed countries, then you are absolutely wrong. Recently, Wikileaks latest leak reveals that Rajiv Gandhi, India’s former Prime Minister and son of Indira Gandhi was directly involved in the massive aircraft deal between a Swedish Company and Indian Air Force. The leaks claim that he was the middleman that helped the company clinch a deal with Indian Air Force in the 1970’s.
Insider’s View
Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India and a professional pilot was acquitted from the Bofors’ Scandal in 2004, years after his death. But fresh allegations have resurfaced after Wikileaks revelations. According to Wikileaks, Gandhi was the Indian negotiator in helping Swedish company clinches the deal. It made a startling revelation and claims that the data has been obtained by Wikileaks through U.S. diplomatic cables and has been accessed by popular newspaper ‘The Hindu.’
The initial cables indicated that former Air Marshal OP Mehra’s son in law was involved in the dealings, but once Navin Behl, the son-in-law denied the charges and other cables were accessed, the evidence pointed to Rajiv Gandhi and how Swedes clearly stated that they “understood the importance of family influences.”
Furor it created
This recent revelation has brought Gandhi-Nehru family into the limelight again, not for good reasons obviously. Questions are being raised about Rajiv’s acquittal in Bofors’ Scandal as well as the political tactics of Congress.
My take
This is not the first time that Rajiv Gandhi’s name has been dragged into a case of power politics and corruption. But considering that Congress is already struggling with several national issues, this revelation could lead to a havoc and wreck their strategies for 2014 elections. At the same time, an allegation like this puts the entire Gandhi clan into jeopardy, with questions being raised on the entire family’s honesty and their claim of ‘corruption-free’ political strategies. The situation needs to be addressed soon, especially after Wikileaks have also revealed that Sanjay Gandhi, brother of Rajiv Gandhi suffered three assassination attempts in the wake of conspiracy before being killed in a plane crash.
