PM carried out 'parallel negotiations', directly involved in Rafale deal: Rahul Gandhi
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Updated: Feb 8, 2019, 11:39 ISTHighlights
- Rahul Gandhi cited a media report which had claimed that PMO office ran parallel negotiations in the Rafale defence deal
- He reiterated his demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the deal
- Former defence secretary clarified that the dissent note cited in the media report is not about the pricing of the jets
NEW DELHI: Referring to a news report published on Friday which alleged "parallel negotiations" by PMO in the Rafale defence deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that it is clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is directly involved in the defence deal.
Meanwhile, former defence secretary said that the dissent note being cited has nothing to do with the pricing of the Rafale defence deal.
In a media report published on Friday, it is alleged that at the height of negotiations over the Rafale defence deal between India and France, the defence ministry had "objected" to "parallel negotiations" being conducted by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with the French side, Congress president claimed.
"PM Modi himself robbed Air Force's Rs 30,000 crore and gave it to Anil Ambani, we have been raising this issue for over a year. Now a report has come where Defence Ministry officials say that PM was holding parallel negotiations with France Govt," the Congress president said during a press conference.
During the press conference, Rahul repeatedly called the Prime Minister a 'thief' and asked him to answer his questions on the defence deal.
Rahul reiterated his demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the Rafale defence deal.
"We've been saying that there should be an inquiry through JPC. Now Ministry itself has said, 'we may advise PMO that any officers who are not part of Indian Negotiating Team may refrain from having parallel parlays'," the Congress president said.
The Congress president, quoting from the report, said that the (former) defence secretary had urged the PMO to avoid such discussions as they "undermine" their negotiating positions.
Shortly after the Congress' press conference, G Mohan Kumar — who was the defence secretary of India at the time of negotiations for the Rafale defence deal— said that the dissent note cited in the media report has "nothing to do with the the pricing of the aircraft".
"It was about sovereign guarantees and general terms and conditions," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
On his meeting with Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, the Congress leader said that he did not raise the Rafale issue with the former defence minister.
"I told him that I have come to see you that doesn't mean that I will not raise the issue of Rafale. It was merely a courtesy visit to inquire about his health," he added.
Meanwhile, former defence secretary said that the dissent note being cited has nothing to do with the pricing of the Rafale defence deal.
In a media report published on Friday, it is alleged that at the height of negotiations over the Rafale defence deal between India and France, the defence ministry had "objected" to "parallel negotiations" being conducted by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with the French side, Congress president claimed.
"PM Modi himself robbed Air Force's Rs 30,000 crore and gave it to Anil Ambani, we have been raising this issue for over a year. Now a report has come where Defence Ministry officials say that PM was holding parallel negotiations with France Govt," the Congress president said during a press conference.
DM @nsitharaman too lied. Former French President has admitted that he was made to choose Anil Ambani by PM Modi hi… https://t.co/UEGv5aQvz7
— Congress (@INCIndia) 1549603633000During the press conference, Rahul repeatedly called the Prime Minister a 'thief' and asked him to answer his questions on the defence deal.
Rahul reiterated his demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the Rafale defence deal.
"We've been saying that there should be an inquiry through JPC. Now Ministry itself has said, 'we may advise PMO that any officers who are not part of Indian Negotiating Team may refrain from having parallel parlays'," the Congress president said.
The Congress president, quoting from the report, said that the (former) defence secretary had urged the PMO to avoid such discussions as they "undermine" their negotiating positions.
Defence Secretary of India says, "It is desirable that such discussions be avoided by the PMO as it undermines our… https://t.co/j8quQC1ACX
— Congress (@INCIndia) 1549604012000Shortly after the Congress' press conference, G Mohan Kumar — who was the defence secretary of India at the time of negotiations for the Rafale defence deal— said that the dissent note cited in the media report has "nothing to do with the the pricing of the aircraft".
"It was about sovereign guarantees and general terms and conditions," he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
On his meeting with Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, the Congress leader said that he did not raise the Rafale issue with the former defence minister.
"I told him that I have come to see you that doesn't mean that I will not raise the issue of Rafale. It was merely a courtesy visit to inquire about his health," he added.
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