Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday rejected Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s allegation based on a media report that claimed the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) held ‘parallel negotiations’ with France on the multi-billion Rafale fighter jet deal.
Defence Minister as quoted by ANI said in Parliament Complex, ‘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?”
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha: Then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar ji replied to that MoD note that remain 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? pic.twitter.com/jB4z5kJCd3
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2019
Congress Leader Mallikarujun Kharge speaking in the Lower house reiterated his demand for JPC on the Rafale Deal. Kharge said, ‘We demand a joint parliamentary committee, everything will be revealed then, we don’t want any explanation now, have heard many explanations, from PM also”.
Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress in Lok Sabha on MoD dissent note on #Rafale negotiations: We demand a joint parliamentary committee, everything will be revealed then, we don't want any explanation now, have heard many explanations, from PM also. pic.twitter.com/KuUFwyuti6
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2019
Speaking on the Issue, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy said “the Modi-Shah duo
is destroying Defence backbone of the country.
Early in the day Congress President Rahul Gandhi hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi racked up Congress in Lok Sabha, hit back at Prime Minister over Rafale Deal.
Rahul Gandhi while referring to a news report published by The Hindu on Friday which 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 Report claimed that Defence Ministry protested against PMO undermining Rafale negotiations.
Rahul Gandhi while showing the copy of the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s reply to MoD dissent note on #Rafale negotiations said, ‘PM Modi himself robbed Air Force’s Rs 30,000 crore and gave it to Anil Ambani, we have been raising this since 1 year. Now a report has come where Defence Ministry officials say that PM was holding parallel negotiations with France Government’.
News Agency ANI accesses the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s reply to MoD dissent note on #Rafale negotiations.
ANI accesses the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s reply to MoD dissent note on #Rafale negotiations."It appears PMO and French President office are monitoring the progress of the issue which was an outcome of the summit meeting. Para 5 appears to be an over reaction" pic.twitter.com/3dbGB9xF4Z
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2019
However, Defence Secretary G Mohan Kumar 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’.
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”.