Congress resumes attack on Rafale deal, terms it brazen

Resuming attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in connection with the controversial Rafale deal, Congress Spokesperson S. Jaipal Reddy on Tuesday levied serious allegations and made a number of claims.

Refuting the claims of hike in prices due to change in configuration, Reddy asserted that configuration was same when the contract was signed earlier.

Casting aspersion on the nature of deal, he said, "The Rafale deal was made directly by Prime Minister Modi and the French government. Foreign Secretary had no idea about it until just 2 days before the deal was announced by Prime Minister Modi. Former Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar said he will back up the deal made by the Prime Minister which is unusual as normally Prime Minister backs up the Defense Minister."

Reddy also reiterated Congress stance on Reliance,saying "Two days before the contract was announced by Prime Minister Modi, the Foreign Secretary had announced that HAL is part of the contract. However, later it was awarded to a company formed by Anil Ambani just 12 days ago. How does Reliance, which has zero experience is undertaking this offset contract?"
He claimed that the difference between UPA deal and the current deal is Rs 41,000 crore while also dubbing the Rafale deal as a 'brazen and a gargantuan' contract.

The Congress spokesperson also claimed that Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) were not followed and berated the Prime Minister for behaving like a medieval monarch and trying to silence the opposition voice.

On August 18, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had constituted a six-member task force to look into the alleged Rafale scam. Congress party has been repeatedly attacking the BJP-led central government on the Rafale deal. India has signed a deal of purchasing 36 Rafale jets from France based Dassault Aviation.

(ANI)