New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Margaret Alva in her autobiography has claimed that Congress's first family has links to Agusta Westland scam middleman Christian Michel.

In the autobiography 'Courage and Commitment' Alva talks about Congress connections to Michel's father Wolfgang Michel.

In her book she also refers to the infamous tank scam in the 1980s where Sanjay Gandhi and his close aide former MoS Defence Production to South Africa CPN Singh allegedly connived to sell second hand by Indian armed forces. Then she raised objection, which led to Singh’s removal. In her book, Alva claimed that she had been targeted for raising voice against Singh and Michel.

She stressed that she became a victim of political vendetta.

Meanwhile, Congress Randeep Surjewala leader denies charges. He said, "She was manufacturing new facts to popularize her book and questioned the timing, this coming just ahead of the parliament session."

The decision by then Narasimha Rao government to appeal against a Delhi High court order quashing the Bofors case linking Rajiv Gandhi had deepened Sonia Gandhi's suspicion over Rao, escalating friction between the two, says Alva.

Alva said following the decision, she was asked by a furious Sonia whether Rao wanted to send her to jail.

Alva, who held various positions in Congress before she was asked to resign in 2008 after her allegations that party tickets were "sold" in the Karnataka Assembly polls, appeared critical of Congress leadership for "centralised decision-making" system in the party.

(With PTI inputs)