Rafale Deal: Embarrassment for Rahul Gandhi? France says secrecy pact is part of agreement

In a big embarrassment for the Congress and its president Rahul Gandhi, France on Friday said that "secrecy pact" was a part of the agreement in Rafale deal.

The clarification came following Rahul Gandhi’s attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman over Rafale deal during the no-confidence motion in the Parliament monsoon session.

“These provisions naturally apply to the IGA concluded on September 23, 2016 on the acquisition of 36 Rafale aircraft and their weapons," France said, according to ANI.

Following Rahul Gandhi’s accusation of Modi and Sitharaman on Rafale deal, Union minister Ananth Kumar said that the BJP would move a privilege motion against Gandhi.

“BJP MPs will move a privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi for putting forth falsehood and misleading the Parliament,” said Kumar, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs.

“His behaviour was childish. He has grown old but it is unfortunate that he has not grown up. It is unfortunate that the president of Congress is so ill-informed and immature,” the minister added referring to Gandhi hugging Modi.

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Meanwhile, responding to France's statement on Rafale deal, the Congress chief said, "Let them deny it if they want. He (French President) said that before me. I was there, Anand Sharma and Manmohan Singh were also there".

Earlier, during his 15-minute-long stormy speech on the no-confidence motion, Gandhi said that Sitharaman claimed there was a secrecy pact with the French Government on the Rafale aircraft deal.

He said that Modi had a close relationship with a particular businessman and the Rafale contract was given to him after taking it away from HAL.

He then asked: "Why was the contract taken away from HAL and the youngsters of Karnataka and given to this businessman who has a debt of Rs 30,000 crore?

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He asked the prime minister whether the Cabinet Committee for Security took this decision. The defence minister objected to it and the speaker said that she would be given opportunity to explain your position.