The loss-making government airline Air India’s sale is going to be one of the largest strategic disinvestments in the country. But, the National Democratic Alliance-led (NDA-led) government is still facing internal opposition on its sale. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy called it a “scam”.
On Monday, Swamy tweeted that a foreign company has “rigged” the “evaluation of the worth of Air India”.
What I have seen of the rigged evaluation of the worth of Air India by a foreign company, the privatisation of the national airline is a total scam.
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) May 28, 2018
This is not the first time Swamy has criticised the disinvestment plan. On March 30, he had tweeted saying it is “potentially another scam in the making”. He even said that if he sees culpability in the process he will personally file a criminal lawsuit.
The proposed sale of Air India is potentially another scam in the making. Selling family silver is not divestment. I am watching who is doing what and will, if I see culpability, file a private criminal law complaint.
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) March 31, 2018
The date for intimating the bidders was extended to May 31 which is just around the corner. On May 22, Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said the sale may not happen if the bidding price is not right.
The net loss of AI in 2017-18 was estimated to be over Rs 3500 crores. The total debt estimated is Rs 52,000 crore.