No, Mr Modi, Rajiv Gandhi Didn’t Use INS Viraat as ‘Personal Taxi’: L Ramdas

New Delhi: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an election rally accused former PM late Rajiv Gandhi of using warship INS Viraat as a “personal taxi”, a former Chief of Naval Staff issued a press statement refuting all the “sensational” allegations made.

On Thursday, Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas (retd) PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, cleared the air around the “sensational charge” made by Modi, after collating email responses from his colleagues; namely Admiral Arun Prakash, Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha and Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh, who were all serving in the Western Fleet during the events referred to by Modi.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) at Ramlila grounds, Delhi, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi made a speech in which said that the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had used Indian Naval Ship Viraat for a personal cruise lasting ten days to Lakshadweep Islands, with his family and the members of the family of his wife Sonia Gandhi. Presumably, his comments were based on a report by Anita Pratap of India Today. I would like to state unequivocally, that this was not the case.”

Ramdas said he had drawn written responses from Vice Admiral Pasricha – then Captain and commanding officer INS Viraat, Admiral Arun Prakash – commanding INS Vindhyagiri, which was accompanying INS Viraat, and Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh – commanding officer of INS Ganga. “I am also referring to a note from an officer who was then the Naval Officer in Charge of Lakshadweep islands,” the statement read.

He has stated that Prime Minister and Mrs Gandhi were embarked on board INS Viraat off Trivandrum en route Lakshadweep on official duty, to chair a meeting of Islands Development Authority (IDA) which is held alternately in Lakshadweep and in the Andamans.

Furthermore, he said there were no foreigners with them and that no ships were specially diverted for the personal use of the Gandhi family.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said Modi was attacking Gandhi as he had no achievements of his government to present before voters.

Khera said Modi was the first Prime Minister of the country who was seeking votes on his "failures".

Read Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas’s full statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT: Adm L Ramdas, PVSM, AVSM,VrC, VSM

This statement is issued by me after collating email responses from my colleagues; namely Adm Arun Prakash, Vice Adm Vinod Pasricha and Vice Adm Madanjit Singh. All the above officers were serving in the Western Fleet during the events referred to.

Yesterday at Ramlila grounds, Delhi, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi made a speech in which said that the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had used Indian Naval Ship Viraat for a personal cruise lasting ten days to Lakshadweep Islands , with his family and the members of the family of his wife Sonia Gandhi. Presumably, his comments were based on a report by Anita Pratap on India Today

I would like to state unequivocally, that this was not the case.

Following was the sequence of events as recalled by those of us present at an event which happened 32 years ago!!

I am drawing on written responses from V Admiral Pasricha – then Capt and commanding officer INS Viraat, Admiral Arun Prakash – commanding INS Vindhyagiri, which was accompahying INS Viraat, and Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh – commanding officer of INS Ganga. I am also referring to a note from an officer who was then the Naval Offcier in Charge of Lakshwadeep islands.

**These statements are available if needed.

1. Prime Minister and Mrs Gandhi were embarked on board INS Viraat off Trivandrum enroute Lakshwadeep. The Prime Minister was at Trivandrum as chief guest for the National Games prize distribution. He was going to Lakshadweep on official duty, to Chair a meeting of IDA ( Islands Development Authority) . This meeting is held alternately in Lakshadweep and in Andamans.

2. There were no foreigners with them. I, as Flag officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command, based in Cochin, also boarded INS Viraat. Four other ships were with INS Viraat as part of Fleet Exercises. As FoC in C, I hosted a dinner for them on board INS Viraat. There were no other parties held on board INS Viraat or for that matter any other ship in our fleet during that time.

3. They did, of course visit some of the Islands on short trips by helicopter to meet local officials, as also the people there. (PM is authorised to travel along with his spouse by service aircraft on official duties). From what I know only Rajiv and Sonia went ashore by helicopter and Rahul never accompanied them. 4. During his visit to Bangaram on the last day, a few naval divers had been sent ashore for the PM’s safety. 5. These meetings and functions were in December 1987. The western fleet had planned its naval exercises with the aircraft carrier much in advance in the yearly exercise programme to be held in that part of the Arabian Sea. This was an opportunity for the officers and men to interact with their PM. He addressed the men, had ‘bada khana’ as per Naval custom.

6.I then hosted a dinner for the Prime Minister that night. And there is a photograph to confirm this. 7. No ships were specially diverted for the personal use of the Gandhi family. 8.. Only one small helicopter was left at Kavratti to meet any emergency medical requirements of the PM and his wife.

I have nothing more to add.

L. Ramdas