In an interaction with the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (UK) at the London School of Economics, Gandhi spoke of alleged corruption in the Rafale deal, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of favouring a businessman who had no experience in manufacturing aircraft.
The price which was agreed on the Prime Minister's visit was Rs 60,145 crore and per aircraft it comes to Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore (negotiated by the UPA), Chidambaram claimed.
According to sources, the Congress chief has decided to remain agressive in his battle against the government on the matter and has made a detailed plan to attack PM Narendra Modi with a nationwide campaign.
The media moghul expressed 'deep anguish over continued personal attacks by Rahul Gandhi on him, and termed all allegations as baseless, ill-informed and unfortunate', an official statement by the Reliance group said.
The meeting discussed the party's preparations for the Assembly polls this year in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram.
The issue came up for discussion at a meeting of Congress general secretaries, party in-charges of states, legislative party leaders and state unit chiefs, which was presided over by Congress President Rahul Gandhi.
Gandhi said French president had told him that the price of the fighter jet involves money of the tax payers and thus its price can be revealed.
The video, which was shared by BJP official handle, shows Pallavi describing the deal in layman's language, by giving examples from everyday life.
The BJP president was referring to charges of corruption levelled by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie in the Rafale fighter jet deal.
The Congress president said the situation related to the condition of women has not been as bad in the “last 3000 years” and “everybody is asking the BJP and the NDA where are ‘acche din’ (good days).”
Gandhi along with opposition MPs, including Raj Babbar, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Ambika Soni, CPI’s D Raja, AAP MP Sushil Gupta, among others, protested in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Parliament complex, holding placards and raising slogans. They demanded that a joint parliamentary committee probe into the issue.
Congress MPs and AAP MP Sushil Gupta hold protest outside Parliament over Rafale deal issue
They accused PM Narendra Modi of modifying the parameters of the deal single-handedly and said there was gross violation of mandatory procedures in finalising the contract.
Just months before the Lok Sabha elections 2019, Congress party has escalated its attacks on the Modi government at the Centre.
Later, Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy also said that the Rafale deal was "one of the biggest scandals of independent India."
"Culture of crony capitalism is the DNA of Modi government. It is truer than ever in case of Rs 60,145 crore Rafale Deal," Surjewala said.
In a two-page letter written on December 12, 2017, Ambani explained to Gandhi, who has been attacking the government over the Rafale deal, why his Reliance Group bagged the multi-billion dollar project.
The fresh attack by Gandhi comes hours after filed gave notices for breach of privilege against PM Modi and Defence Minister Sitharaman in Lok Sabha for “misleading” the House on the Rafale deal issue.
The notices were reportedly moved by Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Veerappa Moily, K V Thomas, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Rajiv Satav.
Referring to the government’s refusal to disclose the entire amount involved in the deal. Jaitley said that the UPA Ministers also never disclosed the cost breakup of the weaponry because that is not in larger national interest.
Top News
Latest News
