The union minister also accused the Congress party of launching 'fake campaigns' against the defence forces, judiciary and Reserve Bank, and said it is time to protect the country as well as its institutions from 'institution wreckers'.

Kumar also opposed the idea of Universal Basic Income, often advocated by former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian, saying he favoured incentives for population to work.  

The film is expected to release in April in the midst of elections.

In the meeting, the Congress chief said the candidate selection process should be more inclusive and participation of maximum party stakeholders and workers should be ensured.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Sitharaman said, "you can wake one who is sleeping, but how will you wake someone who is acting to sleep."

Air Marshal SBP Sinha (retired), who was leading the Indian negotiating team for Rafale fighter jet purchase rejected the charge that the PMO had held parallel negotiations.

Gandhi launched a fresh broadside against the government on the deal following a report in The Hindu newspaper claiming the Defence ministry raised strong objections to "parallel discussions" conducted by the PMO during the negotiations between India and France.

Rahul also accused Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of lying in this matter.

Referring to a media report, the Congress president alleged that the Defence Ministry clearly said PM was carrying out parallel negotiations in connection with the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets.

Priyanka Gandhi and Scindia will then interact with state leaders and party workers on February 12, 13 and 14, to chalk the strategies for the Lok Sabha elections in the country's most populous state which sends 80 members to parliament. 

Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been intensifying attack on PM Modi, accusing him of corruption in the multi- billion dollar jet deal with a French company.

I challenge the BJP, let Narendra Modi ji debate with me on stage. He is scared. He is a darpok (coward) person. I have recognised him," Rahul Gandhi said.

“Amit Shah is not allowing the court to work,” stressed Rahul Gandhi.

Vadra was asked to give in writing if he does not know of any such property in London and Sanjay Bhandari. The ED warned Vadra that any false information by him would invite legal action against him.

"Had the HAL got the opportunity to manufacture the fighter aircraft, a large number of people, including engineers and technicians, would have got jobs," the Congress chief said.

Priyanka was appointed as general secretary and in-charge of Uttar Pradesh east on January 23 by her brother and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi.

Besides the SP-BSP combine, the Congress is also trying to woo the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress which too has appeared unwilling for any tie-up in West Bengal.

Our government has dealt with Rafale deal in a very transparent manner keeping the country's interest in mind, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said while giving a staunch reply to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's instigation on Twitter earlier.

Gandhi and the Congress have been terming the deal to purchase Rafale fighters from France to be the "biggest defence scam".

"Now he is talking about playing politics on front foot. The country is not a 22-yard cricket pitch that he will play on front foot and hit the ball out of the stadium," the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said.