India Tomorrow
New Delhi, Feb 8— Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday came down heavily again on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the purported Defence Ministry documents emerged hinting that Prime Minister’s Office was involved in direct and parallel negotiations with the French firm for the Rafale deal side-lining the then on-going negotiations with the ministry.
Addressing a press conference Friday morning, Rahul charged that “PM himself stole Rs 30k crore and gave it to Anil Ambani.”
“I want to tell people of the country, the Army, and our Jawans that PM himself stole Rs 30k crore from the Air Force and gave it to Anil Ambani. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke lie and PM himself spoke lie.”
Showing a piece of paper purportedly internal note of Defence Ministry dated Nov 24, 2015, Rahul said: “The Defence Ministry says PMO was doing parallel negotiations with France. Former French President has already told about India PM regarding the contract and now it is clearly proved.”
“My friends in the Air Force, you should know that the Rs 30k crore could have been used for your welfare, for welfare of your family. That is your money, that is not the money of Anil Ambani,” said Rahul.
Quoting from the Defence Ministry’s note, Rahul said: “Defence Secretary of India says “I it is desirable that such discussion be avoided by PMO as it damages our negotiating position seriously.”
To a question related to the recent verdict of the Supreme Court whereby the government stand over the deal was upheld, Rahul said: “Govt. told lie to Supreme Court, now entire judgement is in question.”
The document of the Defence Ministry that Rahul Gandhi referred to and flashed during the press conference was published in the lead story on front page of The Hindu on Friday, titled “MoD protested against PMO undermining Rafale negotiations”.
