Congress repeats 'Rafale scam' allegations, demands apology from PM Modi & BJP chief Nadda

As Rafale jets arrived in India, Congress on Saturday, demanded an apology from PM Narendra Modi and BJP president JP Nda alleging that defence structure has weakened under NDA regime. In a press conference, Congress leer Jaiveer Shergill claimed that NDA-BJP leership played a pivotal and instrumental role in hoodwinking nation and compromising on national security. He said that  verdict of Court in Jaya Jaitley's case highlights need to investigate 'truth of Rafale Deal'. He raised old questions on deal - "Why only 36 aircraft were bought inste of 126? Why was Rs 30,000 Crore contract of HAL scrapped to accommodate Mr Anil Ambani?" he asked.

" BJP President JP Nda and Prime Minister owe an apology and an explanation to nation for NDA-BJP leership's pivotal and instrumental role in hoodwinking nation and compromising on national security for ir own enrichment and oriented approach towards Defence Deals. Post Conviction of Bangaru Laxman and Jaya Jaitley, BJP owes an apology and an explanation to nation for rampant corruption, compromise on national security, weakening of defence structure under NDA regime."

"Why only 36 aircraft were bought inste of 126? Why was Rs 30,000 Crore contract of HAL scrapped to accommodate Mr Anil Ambani? capability of Rafale does t give immunity to BJP from accountability on issues of inflated costs, bypassing of rules & regulations and giving preference to a Zero experience private player over a Public Sector Undertaking, he ded. 

RE | Rahul Gandhi congratulates IAF for arrival of Rafale jets, repeats questions on deal

Opposition reopens 'Rafale scam' allegation 

Even before  first batch of five Rafale aircraft arrived, Opposition parties reopened Rahul Gandhi's 'Rafale scam' allegations.  Congress leer Digvijaya Singh alleged that government compromised with national security as it has ordered only 36 Rafale aircraft inste of 126. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi sarcastically congratulated Indian Air Force on new defence entrants; he asked Centre to answer questions about aircraft's worth, number of jets acquired and Rs 30,000 crore contract awarded to Anil Ambani inste of HAL.

RE | Arun Jaitley's children share his befitting response as Rahul resurrects 'Rafale scam'

Rafales land at Ambala air

In a mega boost to Indian Airforce's firepower, five Rafale jets have landed at Indian Airforce's Ambala airbase on Wednesday. jets took off from Merignac airbase in French port city of Bordeaux on Monday and arrived here after covering a distance of 7,000 km with air-to-air refuelling and a single stop in United Arab Emirates. jets entered Indian air and were escorted by 2 SU30 MKIs to airbase.

RE | Kiren Rijiju remembers late Defence Minister Mahar Parrikar as Rafale jets touchdown

SC's Rafale Verdict

 Supreme Court h in 2019 dismissed review petitions against its December 14, 2018 judgment upholding 36 Rafale jets' deal, and giving a clean chit to Modi government. review petitions asked for a review in  jet deal with French firm Dassault Aviation. top court rejected plea that re was a necessity for registration of an FIR in connection with Rafale deal. top court h said that it did t find any reason to embark on a 'roving and fishing inquiry.'

Moreover, SC, while dismissing  contempt proceeding against Rahul Gandhi which was filed by BJP leer Meenakshi Lekhi, h issued n Congress chief a stern warning. In run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi h attributed his ‘Chowkidar chor hai’ jibe against Prime Minister Modi to Apex Court. Following this, Lekhi filed a contempt plea. After SC issued a contempt tice against Gandhi, latter tendered an apology seeking closure of proceedings. top court accepted his apology and while pulling up leer for making false attributions to Court.

RE | As Rafale soars to India, NCP says 'air of suspicion remains'; rekindles Rahul's 'scam'

(inputs from ANI)