Rahul Gandhi terms allegations made by Modi as crazy

NEW DELHI: The Congress chief Rahul Gandhi responding to a charge, which was levelled by PM Narendra Modi alleging that the Gandhi family used the premier warships of India for a "holiday" in the Lakshadweep archipelago said that, he has been on now-decommissioned Indian Naval Ship Viraat but also termed the idea that his family used the erstwhile aircraft carrier for a holiday as "crazy".

Rahul Gandhi while speaking to a source, days after the accusations made by PM Narendra Modi. When asked about the pictures of a holiday taken by the Gandhi family in Lakshadweep in the 1980s, he said, "I've been on the Viraat. I've been with my father on it when he was the PM. Of course there are pictures. He had gone for an official visit ... and I accompanied him."

On Wednesday PM Modi during a rally in New Delhi had said that, "Have you ever heard that someone uses INS Viraat to enjoy 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."

Questioned regarding the allegation that the Gandhi family used INS Viraat, Rahul Gandhi said, "Holiday on the INS Viraat? That's crazy. Why would anyone holiday on an aircraft carrier? It's not a cruise ship!"

Modi also alleged that, "Foreigners were allowed to enter the INS Viraat, was it not a compromise with national security? They put nation first and security of Indian citizens second."

Wajahat Habibullah, the administrator of Lakshadweep during the time of the Gandhi family vacation, told a source that, "INS Viraat was in the sea for the PM's backup security. The Prime Minister needs backup security and in the middle of the ocean, there's no other option other than warships," Habibullah said.

Vice Admiral (retd) Vinod Pasricha, who was the commander of INS Viraat during the vacation of the Gandhi family said that, PM Narendra Modi's "claim was totally wrong".

Former Indian Navy chief L Ramdas, who was the then southern navy commander said, "Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Mrs Sonia Gandhi were embarked on board INS Viraat off Trivandrum enroute Lakshadweep. The Prime Minister was at Trivandrum as chief guest for the National Games prize distribution. There were no foreigners with them. I, as Flag officer commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command, based in Cochin [now known as Kochi], also boarded INS Viraat."