Rajiv Gandhi used INS Viraat for family holidays, alleges PM Modi

New Delhi | Continuing his attack on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, PM Modi on Wednesday claimed that the Gandhi family used Indian Naval Ship, INS VIRAT as their personal taxi for 10 days during a vacation in Lakswadeep Island.

Addressing a rally in Delhi, PM Modi referring to the Rajiv Gandhi’s 1987 Lakswadeep Island vacation said, “Have you ever heard that someone uses INS Viraat to enjoy the holiday? It happened when Rajiv Gandhi was the PM of this country? INS Viraat, which was deployed on sea borders, was sent to facilitate a holiday for 10 days.”

The Navy was made to host the Gandhi family and Rajiv Gandhi’s in-laws, and a helicopter was also deployed in their service, Mr. Modi claimed, adding that when a family becomes supreme, the country’s security is at stake.

PM Modi further alleged that the inlaws of Rajiv Gandhi who were Italian citizens were also on board of INS Virat. He said,” Foreigners were allowed to enter the INS Viraat, was it not a compromise with National security? They put the nation first and security of Indian citizens second.”

Cornering the Congress party over the 1984 Sikh riots, PM Modi said,” The Congress has suddenly started talking about NYAY (justice) nowadays. Congress has to tell who will account for the injustice committed in the 1984 Sikh riots?” Referring to Kamal Nath being appointed as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Modi added,” The Congress will have to answer why a person having an allegation of being associated with the Sikh riots was made a Chief Minister of a state.”

Aircraft carrier INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987. After nearly 30 years of service, it was decommissioned in 2016.

Earlier, Mr. Modi had dubbed Rajiv Gandhi as “Bhrashtachari No. 1” (corrupt no 1), in a reference to the Bofors scam.