New Delhi:
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday held a press conference on Rafale fighter deal in the national capital and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being directly involved in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France. He claimed that the prime minister was carrying out a parallel negotiation with the French government. "We have been saying for more than a year that the Prime Minister is directly involved in the Rafale scam," Gandhi said while addressing a press conference at the party headquarters on Akbar Road.
"Today, The Hindu newspaper has put it in black and white. It is absolutely clear that the Prime Minister himself was carrying out a parallel negotiation with the French," he said.
"This is your money and this is about your future. And here it is absolutely clear that Modi has stolen Rs 30,000 crore of your money and given it to his friend (an Indian industrialist)," he said. His remarks come after The Hindu published a report: "Defence Ministry protested against PMO undermining Rafale negotiations".
"Now Ministry itself has said that we may advise PMO (Prime Minister's Office) that any officers who are not part of Indian Negotiating Team may refrain from having parallel parlays," the Congress president said.
"Even the Defence official was against such discussions and had desired for them to be avoided by the PMO as it undermines our negotiating position seriously,” he said while quoting the remarks of the Defence Secretary in the letter to then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
"It cannot get any clearer or stronger than this," Gandhi said.
Highlights of Rahul Gandhi's press conference on Rafale:
Sitharaman too lied. Former French President has admitted that he was made to choose Anil Ambani by PM Modi himself: Rahul Gandhi
DM @nsitharaman too lied. Former French President has admitted that he was made to choose Anil Ambani by PM Modi himself: Congress President @RahulGandhi#PakdaGayaModi
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 8, 2019
I don't like using strong words but there is no other word that I can use: Rahul Gandhi on 'chowkidar chor hai'
You continue with inquiry on about Robert Vadra, P Chidambaram and others but do give answer on Rafale: Rahul Gandhi
Why it is that President of France has called him (PM Modi) thief, asks Rahul Gandhi
Defence Ministry had opposed the deal: Rahul Gandhi
Why Narendra Modi not talk about Rafale, asks Rahul Gandhi
Since the government lied to the Supreme Court, the entire judgment is in question: Rahul Gandhi
It's a corporate war and PM Modi is doing parallel negotiation: Rahul Gandhi.
I met Parrikar ji and it was a courtesy call and it was not appropriate to talk about Rafale and PM Modi at that time.
Former French President Francois Hollande had said that PM Modi had bypassed the procedure.
Nirmala Sitharaman has lied, PM Modi has lied: Rahul Gandhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lied as well. Former French President has admitted that he was made to choose Anil Ambani by PM Modi himself pic.twitter.com/IU5aYZiysS
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2019
"Today, in The Hindu newspaper it is black and white that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was involved in the Rafale scam," says Rahul Gandhi.
PM Modi has bypassed the process to give money to his friends: Rahul Gandhi
Congress President Rahul Gandhi: 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 Govt. #Rafale pic.twitter.com/76OPEVe3Vl
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2019
PM Modi has stolen 30,000 crores of your money, says Rahul Gandhi.
Modi has consistently undermined the Air Force & Defence Ministry in the Rafale deal for corruption, to benefit his cronies, said CPM leader Sitaram Yechurry.
Modi has consistently undermined the Air Force & Defence Ministry in the Rafale deal for corruption, to benefit his cronies. His actions have hurt the public exchequer & damaged national security. These facts have been hidden from Supreme Court where a review petition is pending. https://t.co/WZuuKqu9Y8
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 8, 2019
Congress president Rahul Gandhi will nail the lies of PM Modi on Rafale, tweeted Randeep Singh Surjewala.
Congress President, Sh. Rahul Gandhi will nail the lies of PM Modi on #Rafale in the Spl AICC PC at 10.15 AM today at 24, Akbar Road, New Delhi.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) February 8, 2019
Rahul Gandhi will be addressing a press conference shortly to expose NoMo's lies.
Congress President @RahulGandhi will be addressing a press conference shortly to expose NoMo's lies. #ChowkidarChorHai #PakdaGayaModi
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 8, 2019