Many people who had links to the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP chopper scam have become governors and ambassadors after retirement, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday. Taking a dig at the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government, which has drawn flak for the AgustaWestland deal, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said, "Many people who had some links with Agusta, I am not saying illegitimate links, but some links with Agusta procurement and supply, were given good positions."

Parrikar said that the Congress government made sure that people who were in their good books had strategic positions so that the deal went through. After the deal fell in place, they were rewarded with constitutional positions, he added. Though he has not provided any evidence to back his claim, Parrikar said it was up to the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate to decide if they want to interrogate the people concerned.