Congress reopens 'Rafale scam' angle before jets' arrival; upholds deal UPA wanted

As first batch of five Rafale aircraft is set to arrive in Ambala on Monday to join Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet, Congress leer Digvijaya Singh has alleged that government compromised with national security as it has ordered only 36 Rafale aircraft inste of 126. In a series of tweets in Hindi, former Mhya Presh CM slammed government and claimed that it has t been able to tell price of one Rafale jet yet despite asking questions.

Digvijaya opened up same can of worms that Congress h failed with before 2019 Lok Sabha polls when Rahul Gandhi h me his 'Rafale scam' heline of his election campaign. At that time Supreme Court h cleared purchase from France, while n Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman h counter-alleged that Congress h conspired with a competitor of Rafale at a crucial point in long-running process of procuring new and vanced fighters for Indian Air Force during IAF. In that context, many of allegations levelled by Digvijaya don't entail much that hasn't alrey been debated.

'Finally, Rafale fighter plane has arrived'

Digvijaya said, "Finally Rafale fighter plane has arrived. Congress-led UPA h decided to buy 126 Rafales in 2012. Except for 18 Rafales, rest were to be built at HAL. This was proof of self-reliant India. One Rafale was going to cost Rs 746 crore."

'He decided to buy only 36'

"After Modi government came to power, Modi entered into a new agreement with France without approval of Ministry of Defense and Finance and Cabinet Committee and signed an agreement to give away rights of HAL to private company. Igring national security, inste of buying 126 Rafale, he decided to buy only 36," Congress leer said.

In ar tweet, Digvijaya said that price of one Rafale by Congress Government was fixed at Rs 746 crore but "watchman" sir, despite asking for several times in Parliament and even outside Parliament, is still refraining from telling at how much rate a Rafale has been bought till date. "Why? Because ft of watchman will be revealed !! "Watchman", please tell price w!" he asked taking a 'Chowkidar' jibe at PM Modi.

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He furr said that while assessing national security, Ministry of Defense h recommended purchase of 126 Rafale, which UPA agreed to accept but why did Modi Ji decide to buy 36 Rafale inste of 128? " answer even when asked. Did Modi ji t compromise with national security?" he said. Digvijaya asked that doesn't Opposition have right to ask questions in a democratic system.

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Meanwhile, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhauria would be visiting Ambala to receive first batch of five Rafale combat aircraft arriving from France. In view of Rafale fighter jets landing in city, Section 144 has been imposed in four vills close to Ambala airbase.

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