Congress to Modi Govt: Did Rajeev Chandrasekhar-owned company sign contract with defence ministry?

The Congress party on Wednesday asked the Narendra Modi government whether BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar-owned company had signed any contract with the defence ministry to push its business agenda.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera told reporters "Chandrashekhar has been a member of the Parliament's Standing Committee on Defence. This not only gives him legitimised access to sensitive information but also gives him a decisive voice on matters of India's defence planning, strategy and expenditure." Khera added, "He is the founder of Jupiter Capital, an investment firm managing a portfolio of roughly $1 billion. Jupiter Capital also has investments in defence-related companies."

"Axiscades Engineering Technology Limited is a company that provides technology solutions to aerospace, defence, heavy engineering, automotive and industrial production sectors. This is a subsidiary of Jupiter Capital," Khera further said. Urging Modi government to reply, he asked whether Axiscades Engineering Technology Limited sign any contract with Defence ministry.

He also said that in 2007, another subsidiary of Jupiter Capital won the contract to build an airport aviation training facility at former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's constituency, Hassan. "The airport, meant to be completed in 18 months, is not yet complete. The airport was given a 30-year lease 536 acre at surprisingly low price of ₹1,100 per acre per year. At the time of finalisation of deal, Gowda's son HD Revanna, was heading the agency to oversee the project."

Inputs by NH Web Desk