Former chief of Indian Navy Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas (Retd) issued a statement on May 9, debunking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi used the INS Viraat for a family holiday during which he was accompanied by Sonia Gandhi and her family.
Admiral Ramdas was present on INS Viraat at the time, in December 1987, as Flag officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command. He clarified that the former Prime Minister’s visit was an official visit and that no foreigners accompanied him. Additionally, the official visit and meetings were planned in advance and “was an opportunity for the officers and men to interact with their PM.”
“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 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 Offcer in Charge of Lakshwadeep islands,” he wrote.
Adm Ramdas has cited eyewitness accounts of the time to highlight:
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “During his visit to Bangaram on the last day, a few naval divers had been sent ashore for the PM’s safety.”
- “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.”
- I then hosted a dinner for the Prime Minister that night. And there is a photograph to confirm this
- “No ships were specially diverted for the personal use of the Gandhi family.”
- “Only one small helicopter was left at Kavratti to meet any emergency medical requirements of the PM and his wife.”
Earlier in the day, Vice Admiral Pasricha (Retd) had said that PM Modi’s claim was “Totally wrong.”
During his May 8 rally in Delhi, PM Modi had referred to the said trip and falsely claimed that Rajiv Gandhi used INS Viraat, an aircraft carrier, as a “personal taxi”.