AMN /New Delhi
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday rubbished Congress party’s allegations of bypassing the procedures in procuring 36 Rafale aircrafts from France, saying that the deal for the planes was done in a transparent manner and had to be struck quickly keeping in mind the defence preparedness of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
TALKING TO media here, Ms Sitharaman said, “The decision to buy 36 Rafale aircrafts was taken following the due procedure. There was an urgent need for the acquisition of the planes for the IAF’s defence preparedness. The UPA government from 2004-2014 could not arrive on a decision to address this critical necessity of fighters for the IAF.”
Earlier Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa too said, “It is not overpricing… We have negotiated for 36 French fighter aircraft Rafale (at a price) lower than that in the contract. The government has negotiated a very good deal.”
“It is definitely a better deal. It is lower than what was there in the MRMCA contract,” he said without going into specifics.
Minister and the IAF Chief statements come after the Congress vice president asked the media to raise questions about the Rafale deal and on BJP chief Amit Shah’s son Jay’s income from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“You ask lots of questions from me. And I always answer. But why don’t you ask questions about the Rafale deal and Amit Shah’s son Jay from the Prime Minister,” Gandhi told reporters.
Rahul also took pot shots at PM Modi over the Rafale deal on Twitter saying, “Can you explain ‘Reliance’ on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal? Self ‘Reliance’ is obviously a critical aspect of ‘Make in India’,” he had tweeted.
Congress had earlier accused the government of compromising national interest and security while promoting “crony capitalism” and causing a loss to the public exchequer.