Kochi: A day after the BJP targeted him over the AgustaWestland deal, former Defence Minister A K Antony hit back at the ruling party, saying "the deviation" in the tender process for purchasing the VVIP helicopters started in 2003 during the NDA rule headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"AgustaWestland was not qualified to participate in the global tender process initiated by the Government in 2002 to purchase choppers to carry VVIPs. It could enter the tender process after a meeting of Airforce, Defence officials convened by then National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra in 2003 decided to relax norms," Antony said.