Criminal investigation in Rafale deal, if Congress comes to power: Rahul Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that if his party comes to power at Centre, there will be a criminal investigation in the Rafale defence deal and all those found guilty would be punished.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament ahead of the government's reply, he urged defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman to answer the questions raised by the Congress on the multi-million dollar fighter jet deal.

"We and the entire opposition want that when defence minister speaks on the PM's behalf, the questions raised by us should be answered," Gandhi told reporters.

The Congress president also asked Sitharaman whether any objections were raised on the Rafale contract file by the negotiating team and the defence ministry.

Gandhi also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running away from the debate and said finance minister Arun Jaitley should answer questions raised by the Congress instead of abusing him.

Earlier today, in a tweet, the Congress leader had demanded that PM Modi be investigated for corruption and for weakening national security by giving the Rafale contract to "his friend".

Gandhi cited a media report on Swedish Telecom major Ericsson filing a contempt plea in the Supreme Court against Reliance Communications chief Anil Ambani and demanding that he be detained.

"In addition to corruption, the PM should be investigated for weakening national security by giving the Rafale contract to his friend and international debt master, Anil Ambani," Gandhi said in a tweet and tagged the media report.

In its second contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Anil Ambani, telecom equipment maker Ericsson sought his detention in civil prison and said he be barred from travel overseas unless he ensures payment of Rs 550 crore owed to it.

The company is locked in a battle with Ambani's communication firm over pending dues.