Rajiv Gandhi did not misuse INS Viraat: Navy officer who planned former PM's Lakshadweep trip
Retired Commodore Ajay Chitnis, who helped Rajiv Gandhi's now controversial 1987 Lakshadweep trip, refuted charges that the late prime minister used INS Viraat for a personal vacation
A retired Indian Navy officer who was involved in planning former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's now controversial 1987 Lakshadweep trip has refuted allegations that the late prime minister misused the now-decommissioned Indian Naval Ship (INS) Viraat for a family vacation.
PM Narendra Modi, speaking at an election rally recently, had accused Rajiv Gandhi of using INS Viraat as his "personal taxi". PM Modi alleged that Rajiv Gandhi used INS Viraat for a "family vacation" in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
Retired Commodore Ajay Chitnis, while speaking to India Today TV, refuted the charges. He was the officer who had helped plan the trip in question.
Chitnis said in late 1987, Rajiv Gandhi and his wife Sonia Gandhi travelled on INS Viraat from Trivandrum, now known as Thiruvananthapuram, to Lakshadweep. According to Chitnis, Rajiv Gandhi was in Trivandrum to attend the closing ceremony of National Games and he went to Lakshadweep to chair an islands' development authority meeting.
Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia arrived on INS Viraat on a helicopter and the next day, disembarked on the Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep, Chitnis said, adding there were no other friends or family on board the aircraft carrier.
As prime minister, Rajiv Gandhi was entitled to travel onboard INS Viraat along with his wife, Chitnis said. The retired Navy officer said Rajiv Gandhi's children and other family members joined him on Bangaram after he had finished his official meetings.
Chitnis also refuted allegations that Indian Navy helicopters were used to fly in Rajiv Gandhi's guests or refreshments for the vacation. Chitnis said civilian helicopters were used to fly in the refreshments for the guests.
Chitnis compared Rajiv Gandhi's 1987 trip to Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting forward areas such as the Siachen Glacier area and having a meal with the Indian Army officers and jawans posted there. Chitnis said Rajiv Gandhi similarly came on board INS Viraat and had a meal with the Indian Navy personnel posted on the warship.