The government hit back with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asking whether Gandhi’s “failed politics” is forcing him to make a controversy out of India’s “sensitive defence requirements”. (Source: Rafale Aviation)
THE WAR of words over the Rafale figher jet deal intensified on Tuesday with the Congress launching a fresh assault on the government on the affidavit it filed in the Supreme Court on Monday. While Congress president Rahul Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has admitted to his theft in the court, his party said the document concealed more than it revealed.
The government hit back with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asking whether Gandhi’s “failed politics” is forcing him to make a controversy out of India’s “sensitive defence requirements”.
“Falsehood is not a substitute for Rahul Gandhi’s failed politics. Realising that the Modi government bought the Rafale at a price cheaper than what UPA was negotiating, the disrupters are now resorting to petty hair-splitting. UPA delayed the Rafale purchase, much required for improving the combat ability of Indian Air force. Is Rahul Gandhi’s failed politics compelling him to render India’s sensitive defence requirements controversial?” Jaitley tweeted.
He was replying to Gandhi, who tweeted quoting a media report that “Modi ji has admitted to his theft in the Supreme Court. In the affidavit, he admitted to changes in the contract without asking the Air Force and put Rs 30,000 crore in Ambani’s pocket. The picture is still to come my friend.”
The Congress, meanwhile, picked holes in the document the government filed in the Supreme Court. It also dismissed as “manufactured lies” claims by the Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier claim that there was no wrong-doing in the deal. The Congress asked whether the Indian Air Force was on board the government’s decision to bring down the number of aircraft to be procured from 126 to 36.
“The affidavit says that the Defence Acquisition Council accorded acceptance of necessity for 36 aircraft on May 13, 2015. But the announcement for purchase of 36 aircraft was made on April 10, 2015. So, even before the Defence Acquisition Council accords the Acceptance of Necessity, you have already pre-decided that 36 aircraft are going to be bought?” Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said.
Tewari asked whether the IAF was on board decision to purchase 36 aircraft instead of 126 and if it was “when were the Standard Qualitative Requirements (SQR) initiated?”