Accuses PM of corruption in Rafale deal

 

AMN / GANDHINAGAR

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Tuesday raked up the 1999 release of Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar to attack the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Pulwama suicide bombing.

Launching campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from PM Modi’s home state, Rahul fired a fresh salvo at the NDA regime on a slew of issues, including the Rafale deal, demonetisation and the implementation of the GST.

Rahul Gandhi accused the prime minister of corruption in the deal for 36 Rafale jets with France and said the PM gave Rs. 30,000 crore to his “friend” Anil Ambani. “PM Modi praises the Air Force but he doesn’t say he stole Rs. 30,000 crore from its pockets, their pilots, and gave it to Anil Ambani,” the Congress chief alleged.

Anil Ambani, who was chosen by Rafale manufacturer Dassault for an offset contract in the Rafale deal, has never made a plane in his life, Rahul Gandhi said, and added “I guarantee Anil Ambani won’t even be able to make a paper plane” – his quip generating applause from the crowd.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi today said that his party will implement a minimum income guarantee scheme if voted to power in Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing a Jan-Sankalp rally at Adalaj here, he said, Congress waived farm loans in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh within days of forming governments.

Mr Gandhi said youth were struggling to find jobs despite Make In India and Start-Up India initiatives.

He alleged that the previous BJP government had freed Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also addressed the rally and appealed to people to be vigilant. In her address, she asked people not to fall prey to meaningless issues.

Earlier, top party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh attended the Congress Working Committee meeting held at Sardar Smarak in Ahmedabad.