The Rafale defence deal has been brought up for debate in the Lok Sabha Wednesday after the Congress agreed to discuss the issue. This is after repeated allegations by the Congress that the deal smacks of corruption in high places.
The Congress has alleged that the Narendra Modi government has bought the 36 Rafale fighter jets at an exorbitant price of Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft even though the deal during the UPA era was priced at under Rs 700 crore per plane.
The Congress has been running a continuous campaign against the BJP on the issue, with Congress president Rahul Gandhi accusing Modi of lying on the deal.
Follow live updates here:
2:51pm: Conspirators of various defence deals are raising a finger at us, says Jaitley.
2:49pm: Jaitley hits back at the Congress by raising the Bofors scandal, National Herald case and AgustaWestland case.
2:47pm: Chants of “Gandhi family chor hai, maa-beta chor hai,” are shouted in the background.
2:46pm: On the last occasion, Gandhi manufactured a conversation between him and the French president who denied it, says Jaitley
2:45pm: If they’ve presented a lie, they must also listen to the truth, says Jaitley.
2:44pm: Jaitley says Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi are repeating false accusations which have been thrown out by the Supreme Court
2:43pm: It’s a tragedy for the country that the grand old party — Congress — is now headed by a gentleman who does not even understand what a combat aircraft is
2:43pm: Some people have an utter dislike of the truth, says Jaitley
2:42pm: We thought that the Congress would have something new to add when they asked for second debate on Rafale deal
2:41pm: Finance minister Arun Jaitley begins speaking. Says he is disappointed by what the Congress has said.
2:40pm: Rahul Gandhi ends his speech.
2:39pm: Rahul Gandhi says the entire country has raised a finger against Prime Minister Narednra Modi.
2:37pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi demands a JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) into the Rafale deal.
2:34pm: Supreme Court has only said that inquiry into Rafale deal is not within its jurisdiction, says Gandhi
2:33pm: “Double AA has been given a contract,” says Rahul Gandhi after Speaker Mahajan objects to naming individuals.
2:31pm: House resumes. Rahul Gandhi says he will not play the audio clip; takes a dig at the government saying they are clearly scared of the facts in the audio clip.
2:25pm: House adjourned till 2:30pm.
2:22pm: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan disallows playing the audio clip; says it cannot be admitted on the House record.
2:19pm: Rahul Gandhi asks permission to play the audio file. Evokes a an angry response from finance minister Arun Jaitley.
2:18pm: Ruckus breaks out in Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi brings up audio file which is purportedly of Goa CM Manohar Parrikar claiming he has Rafale deal files
2:16pm: The defence minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) was contradicted by the French president Macron (over the pricing of the deal), says Gandhi.
2:14pm: Is is not a fact that the new price the PM negotiated was objected to by defence ministry official? asks Gandhi
2:12pm: In his next question to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi asks why did the price go from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1600 crore?
2:10pm: Did the Air Force want it or you changed it unilaterally, Gandhi seeks to know from the Prime Minister
2:09pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an interview that no-one raised questions to him about Rafale but it’s not true, says Rahul Gandhi.
2:07pm: Rahul Gandhi says as the opposition leader it is his job to raise questions.
2:05pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi begins addressing the Lok Sabha.
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