Our Correspondent / New Delhi
BJP has accused the Congress of hatching a conspiracy to get the Rafale deal cancelled. Briefing media here, party leader and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat alleged that during UPA rule, the deal did not materialize as a private company linked to UPA Chairperson’s son- in- law, Robert Vadra was not chosen as a broker.
He named a private firm and claimed its owner controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari had been working with Mr. Vadra.
Mr. Shekhawat also hinted at Pakistan’s role in the conspiracy, saying former Interior Minister Rehman Malik, has even tweeted that Mr. Gandhi will be the next Indian prime minister.
He alleged that the Congress party’s efforts to cancel the defence deal aims at demoralising the Indian Air Force.
He accused Congress President Rahul Gandhi of misleading the country by comparing the cost of an unloaded aircraft with a fully armed and weaponised fighter aircraft. He said, in fact, the present Rafale deal is almost 20 percent cheaper than the deal in UPA government.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said, the allegation levelled against the government on the Rafale deal is a perception battle and the Centre will fight it.
She said, Centre will go to places and put facts on record related to the deal. Ms Sitharaman also alleged that Congress is running a smear campaign against the government at International level.
Talking to media persons in Lucknow today, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that after clarifications from former French President Francois Hollande, there is no room for any doubt in the matter of Rafale fighter aircraft deal. Mr. Singh alleged that Opposition does not have any issue left so it is raking up non-issues like Rafale deal.