The Hindu : I am a victim of 'anti-reforms lobby', says Rudy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 13, 2004

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National

I am a victim of 'anti-reforms lobby', says Rudy

NEW DELHI, FEB . 11. The Minister for Civil Aviation, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, today denied misusing public funds for personal benefits and said he has been a "victim of the anti-reforms lobby in aviation circles."

He said he would prefer an Economic Ministry — and certainly not the high-profile Civil Aviation, which required a lot of public relations activity — if the NDA Government was voted back to power.

In an interview to UNI, Mr. Rudy said he was ready for an open debate on recent allegations of using resources of the Airports Authority of India, the largest profit-making public sector undertaking under his Ministry, for personal comfort and benefit.

``I have been performing to the best of my abilities. But ultimately, became a victim of changing the system. It is criminal, what they (the Opposition) have done,'' said the Minister.

Recent media reports alleged Mr. Rudy billed a five-star New Year vacation in Goa to the AAI. The tab was Rs. 2.69 lakhs. The reports said the AAI was also asked to pay for furnishing his house.

``I was in Goa to discuss issues relating to development of the Goa airport. Along with the Chief of the Naval Staff, we discussed the remapping of aircraft parking bays. Now, the airport can accommodate six more aircraft. How can Opposition leaders say that I was on a holiday? How can they crucify me for a thing like this, he asked

Mr. Rudy said he had now paid all the bills for his family's five-day-four-night stay in Taj Exotica in Goa. ``But one thing is clear. Someone has an agenda to launch a campaign against me. It could be to dim my electoral prospects in the coming general elections.''

"I hosted one dinner after the three-day Air Race India 2003 that was organised to mark the centennial of the aviation history in November last. It was a proud moment for us. I even flew a plane from Bangalore to mark the occasion. Is it a crime to host an official dinner on Government expense? If this is corruption, then everything else on Government money is also corruption,'' he said.

Mr. Rudy said the allegations by the Opposition leaders had embarrassed the Bharatiya Janata Party. ``But all Congress leaders who held the civil aviation portfolio in the past used public money for similar officials purposes. The records show that.''

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