Thiruvananthapuram, April 30 (IANS): Former defence minister A.K. Antony on Saturday asked the Narendra Modi government to take action against the "bribe takers" in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

Addressing reporters here while kicking off his assembly poll campaign, Antony was pressed with questions on the Rs.3,600 crore chopper deal inked in 2010.

"The CBI, enforcement agencies and all those who matter are now under the control of the present Modi government. Action has been taken against the bribe givers, so now action should be taken against the bribe takers,a¿ said Antony, who was defence minister when the scam was unearthed.

He said that AgustaWestland is now involved in the Make in India campaign of the Modi government.

"We request the government not to involve this company in the Make in India campaign," said Antony.

He said during the trial in the Italian court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ministry of defence officials participated at every stage. All the witnesses were cross-examined, and at the time no names were revealed, he added.

"Strong action has been taken against the bribe givers, and now action has to be taken against bribe-takers," he stressed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, for the past week, have been indulging in political recrimination over the chopper deal both inside and outside parliament.