New Delhi: Contrary to the Congress party’s claims that the Narendra Modi government launched the Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) missile ahead of 2019 polls for political gains, former Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Dr. V K Saraswat on Wednesday, March 27, said that the prime minister had not set a deadline and told the scientists to launch when the missile was ready to go.
Speaking to Times Now, Saraswat said that he had written to the UPA government in 2012, explaining that the DRDO had the capability to carry out the crucial test. “A-SAT Missile test was not allowed earlier. The clearance was given to the DRDO by Modi government. Such kind of courage was not present in the previous government,” added Saraswat.
The former DRDO chief also said that he was quite certain that the launch would have happened in 2014-15 if the clearances were given in 2012-13.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi had taken a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a “Happy World Theatre Day” wish over A-SAT Missile test- ‘Mission Shakthi’. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that the Modi government had violated the model code of conduct and also said that the TMC would file a complaint with the Election Commission regarding the same.
However, the prime minister declared this as an achievement as it places India in the elite club of space superpowers and also stated that the action was not aimed at any country.
