Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressing press conference in New Delhi. (IndiaTV)
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the Modi government and Arun Jaitley of lying over fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya's remark that he met the finance minister before leaving India in March 2016.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi questioned why Arun Jaitley didn't mention about his meeting Mallya earlier.
"Arun Jaitley writes long blogs but why he didn't write anything about this meeting with Vijay Mallya," Rahul Gandhi said.
The Congress president claimed that party leader PL Punia, who was seated beside him during the press conference, was witness to the meeting which lasted nearly 20 minutes.
"It is clear that the government is lying over Rafale deal. It is lying over Vijay Mallya issue," he said.
Rahul's charge came moments after BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra during his press conference told reporters that there are evidence to suggest Rahul Gandhi was using black money and the Gandhi family was helping Vijay Mallya with sweet deals.
"Rahul Gandhi travelled free in Kingfisher Airlines," Patra said.
Mallya, facing charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to around Rs 9,000 crore and fighting an extradition case, told reporters in London on Wednesday that he met the finance minister before leaving India and offered to settle with the banks.
Jaitley has already rubbished Mallya's claims.
WATCH: Rahul Gandhi attacks Arun Jaitley over Vijay Mallya's statement
