Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala
Rejecting Dassault CEO Eric Trappier's claims of no wrong-doing in Rafale deal with India, the Congress on Tuesday alleged "blatant corruption" in the deal and demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into it.
Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier, in an interview to news agency ANI, defended the Rafale deal and claimed that there was no wrong-doing in the Rs 58,000 crore deal.
The Dassault CEO also asserted that the Rafale contract between India and France was a “clean deal”.
Also Read | Rafale row: We chose Reliance by ourselves, I don't lie, says Dassault CEO on Rahul Gandhi's allegations
Responding to Eric Trappier’s defence of Rafale deal, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, " 'Dictated Interviews' and 'manufactured lies cannot suppress the Rafale Scam. First rule of Law - Mutual Beneficiaries and Co-accused's statements hold no value. Second Rule:-Beneficiaries and accused can't be Judge in their own case. Truth has a way of coming out.”
"Fixed match between BJP Government and Dassault and PR Stunts of PM Modi and Eric Trappier can't hide the blatant corruption," he alleged.
Read Also | 'Picture abhi baaki hai': Rahul Gandhi launches scathing attack on PM Modi after Centre submits Rafale documents in SC
French aerospace major Dassault Aviation has partnered with Reliance Defence Ltd for delivering 36 Rafale fighter jets to the Indian Air Force(IAF).
The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that the Defence Procurement Procedure(DPP) as laid out by the UPA in 2013 was "completely followed" in the procurement of the 36 jets from France and the deal was subsequently approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security(CCS).
Mounting a fresh offensive against the prime minister, Rahul Gandhi tagged a media report alleging that the government in its affidavit before the apex court has thrown up more 'wrong-doings' by Modi in the Rafale deal.
The media report claimed that the affidavit has made it clear that the government did not take the most basic steps that are fundamental to any procurement and which are spelt out in detail in the DPP-2013 which governs the purchase.
The government failed to involve the IAF in formulating "service qualitative requirements"(SQRs) which specify the capabilities of the equipment being procured.
Gandhi in his latest tweet alleged that Modi has admitted to "theft" in the Rafale deal before the Supreme Court and changes in the contract without asking the IAF.
There was no reaction from the government or the BJP on the fresh charges, though they have previously rejected all allegations over the Rafale deal.
“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,” Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
Gandhi raised the controversy over the Rafale deal again at a poll rally in Chattisgarh.
Modi went to France with Anil Ambani, snatched Rafale contract from the HAL and gave it to him, Gandhi said in Raipur.
The prime minister snatched Rs 30,000 cr from the poor, put it in Anil Ambani's pocket, Gandhi said, adding, "Modi works for very rich and not poor".
The Reliance in previous statements has said that the Indian Government, French government, Dassault and Reliance have clarified on multiple occasions there is no offset contract for Rs 30,000 crore to Reliance as alleged by Congress.
