Following the exclusive story published by The Hindu on Friday that reveals how Defence Ministry protested against the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) undermining Rafale negotiations, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has called a press meet to further discuss the controversial Rafale deal.
According to the report by N. Ram, at the height of the negotiations over the controversial €7.87 billion Rafale dealbetween India and France, the Defence Ministry raised strong objections to “parallel negotiations” conducted by the PMO with the French side. Stating that it was clear that such parallel discussions by the PMO had “weakened the negotiating position of MoD and Indian Negotiating Team,” a Defence Ministry note dated November 24, 2015 brought this to the attention of the then Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar.
Mr. Gandhi concluded saying that, "I hate to use the strong words, but can't help telling the truth. It is now duty to tell the country that the PM is a thief."
The entire judgement of Supreme Court is questionable as the SC didn't have these documents. They lied to the court. Do you think the SC would have given the judgement if the papers were available to them?
Do I look rattled to you? Hollande clearly said Indian PM is a thief as he suggested Anil Ambani to us. Now the Defense Ministry is saying that PM is a thief. You can do an inquiry on anyone you want. No problem. But do an inquiry on this as well. You allow the law on Robert Vadra, Chidamabaram, no problem. But also answer on Rafale.
It is absolutely clear that the PM has stolen from the country and the pilots.
Today's The Hindu newspaper report makes it crystal clear that the Prime Minister is conducting parallel negotiaitions. I appeal to the youth of this nation. PM has stolen Rs. 30,000 cr of your money, bypassed the process and has given money to his friend. We have been calling for a JPC in this regard.
It's an open and shut case, President Hollande had said that PM has suggested the name of Anil Ambani. My friends in the Air Force... this money could have been used for your safety, or could have been used for your families. When an officer (Defence Ministry officials who wrote the note) puts such a thing on a piece of paper, he is doing it for a reason, he is saying that the PMO has bypassed us. PM is a representative of Anil Ambani.
Mounting a fresh offensive on Narendra Modi, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called the prime minister a “darpok” (coward) and dared him to a five minute face-to-face debate on issues such as the controversial Rafale jet deal and national security.
Addressing the Congress’ minority department convention here, a combative Mr. Gandhi also alleged that the RSS was trying to capture the institutions of the country and said his party’s governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh will remove the organisation’s loyalists from the system.
(With inputs from agency)