The Indian National Congress on Wednesday launched a fresh scathing attack on the Narendra Modi led Centre Government over Rafale issue. Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala on Wednesday while addressing a presser releases an audio clip of Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane claiming Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has “All the files related to #RafaleDeal in his bedroom”.
#WATCH Randeep Surjewala, Congress releases audio clip of Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane claiming Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has "All the files related to #RafaleDeal in his bedroom" pic.twitter.com/M8VZbfPnxJ
— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019
Surjewala, as quoted by ANI, said, ‘Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has the all the files relating to Rafale jet deal. The fashion in which every procedure was bypassed…it is all recorded in the files. Those files are with Mr Parrikar. Why are those files being hidden?”.
Manohar Parikkar was the defence minister when the deal was signed with French Government.
Congress national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the prime minister should answer if this is the reason why the government has been opposing the demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the Rafale deal.
In the audio clip released by the Party, Rane purportedly can be heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week, Parrikar said he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom. The audio clip was played for the media outside Parliament.
Congress also shared the audio clip on their Official Twitter Handle, “Hear the leaked conversation with BJP MLA, @visrane, as he reveals Goa CM @manoharparrikar has hidden details of the #RafaleScam #RafaleAudioLeak” said party in a tweet.
Hear the leaked conversation with BJP MLA, @visrane, as he reveals Goa CM @manoharparrikar has hidden details of the #RafaleScam #RafaleAudioLeak pic.twitter.com/pIWnmFQp3q
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 2, 2019
However, Viishwajit Pratap Singh has dismissed the allegations and said the tape is doctored. Goa Minister Vishwajit P Rane said, “The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication b/w cabinet&CM. Mr Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. Have asked him for a criminal investigation into this”.
Goa Min Vishwajit P Rane: The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication b/w cabinet&CM. Mr Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. Have asked him for a criminal investigation into this. pic.twitter.com/pEA6L1SiTx
— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019
Earlier in the day, in another development on Rafale Issue, Former union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, along with advocate Prashant Bhushan move to the Supreme Court for review of Rafale judgment. Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan is seeking a review of December 14 judgment on Rafale Deal.