BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha criticises Modi government over Rafale deal

Dissatisfied BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha on Sunday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre over the much controversial Rafale deal by saying that a French publication had quoted former French president Francois Hollande as saying that the Indian government had put forward the name of Reliance Defence ahead of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as a partner for the French aerospace major Dassault Aviation for the deal.

Addressing a farmers’ panchayat in Tawli village, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, he said the questions are arising why an experienced firm like the Reliance Defence got the nod for the Rafale deal instead of HAL.

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Sinha also appealed to all the opposition leaders to unite against the BJP to defeat them in the upcoming 2019 general elections.

Along with Shatrughan Sinha, former Union minister Yashwant Sinha and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also addressed the farmers.

Both the Congress and the BJP have been involved in a tussle of words over the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale fighter aircraft deal from France, with several claims and counter-claims coming from both the parties.