Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday launched a frontal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Rafale Deal. Chandrababu Naidu attacking PM Modi said ‘Truth cannot be hidden for long’. In a series of a tweet, Andhra Pradesh Chief said, ‘PM @narendramodi’s silence on Rs. 59,000 Cr Rafale deal & reports on the possibility of India’s Biggest Defence scam directly involving the PMO, speaks volumes of BJP govt’s destructive decisions. Modi ji, truth cannot be hidden for long when you cheat the nation”.
PM @narendramodi’s silence on Rs. 59,000 Cr Rafale deal & reports on the possibility of India’s Biggest Defence scam directly involving the PMO, speaks volumes of BJP govt’s destructive decisions. Modi ji, truth cannot be hidden for long when you cheat the nation.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 8, 2019
He added in another tweet, ‘PMO’s interference in the name of “parallel negotiations”, bypassing the Ministry of Defense in finalizing Rafale deal, undermined the negotiating position of the Indian Negotiating Team. These revelations are shocking. They indicate a lack of integrity & regard within BJP govt’.
While asserting his Demand to probe, TDP Chief said, ‘All latest developments in the #RafaleScam case have strengthened the suspicion over the deal & require to be investigated independently so that truth comes out. This time BJP govt cannot get away with manipulating factual information regarding the negotiations for their benefit’.
All latest developments in the #RafaleScam case have strengthened the suspicion over the deal & require to be investigated independently so that truth comes out. This time BJP govt cannot get away with manipulating factual information regarding the negotiations for their benefit.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) February 8, 2019
Chandrababu Naidu lastest salvo on PM Modi came hours after Congress President Rahul Gandhi while referring to a news report published by The Hindu on Friday alleged “parallel negotiations” by PMO in the Rafale Defence deal, said that it is clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is directly involved in the Defence deal.
The news report that was published in the Hindu newspaper said that ‘ The Defence Ministry raised strong objections to “parallel negotiations” conducted by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with the French side. Stating that it was clear that such parallel discussions by the PMO had “weakened the negotiating position of MoD and Indian Negotiating Team,” a Defence Ministry note dated November 24, 2015 brought this to the attention of the then Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar” Report said that was published in the early hours of Friday in The Hindu.
However, G Mohan Kumar who was the Defence Secretary at the time of Rafale negotiations told ANI, ‘It (MoD dissent note on #Rafale negotiations) had nothing to do with price. It was about sovereign guarantees and general terms and conditions’. He added, ‘Whatever has been brought out ( recent media report on #Rafale by the Hindu) has nothing to do with pricing’.
Later on Friday, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lashed out at Congress and rubbishes the Media Report saying, ‘A newspaper published a file noting written by Defence Secretary, If a newspaper publishes a noting then the ethics of journalism will demand that the newspaper publishes the then Defence Minister’s reply as well’.
Union Minister while speaking in the Lok Sabha today said, Then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Ji replied to that MoD note that remains calm, nothing to worry, everything is going alright. Now, what do you call the NAC led by Sonia Gandhi’s interference in earlier PMO? What was that?”. Nirmala Sitharaman counters Rahul Gandhi allegations on PM Modi over Rafale, rubbishes media report
Earlier on Thursday while speaking in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked Rahul Gandhi on Rafale Issue and alleged that the Congress did not want the Indian Air Force to be strong and asked: “which companies are they bidding for that they are acting so shamefully”.
ALSO READ:
- PM Modi’s Budget Session Speech in Lok Sabha: ‘Mahamilavat’ jibe at Mahagathabandhan, launches a frontal attack on Congress
- Rahul Gandhi responds to Parrikar’s allegations; claims PM mounting pressure; no clarity whether ‘Rafale’ was discussed
- ‘Goa audio tapes on Rafale authentic’: tweets Rahul Gandhi; demands action against Manohar Parrikar