Published 14:11 IST, July 25th 2018
Rafale deal controversy: Big embarrassment for Rahul Gandhi; Here's how the papers contradict his claims
Rafale papers accessed show for the first time that the NDA government obtained better jets at much cheaper prices and how it contradicts Rahul Gandhi's claims.
Congress' Rafale lie has been completely exposed, Republic TV has accessed documents that show how the NDA finalised the deal at a lower bid than the UPA. There was a bitter war in the parliament where the Congress Party President Rahul Gandhi attacked the NDA government of misleading the country on the deal, however the critical Rafale papers accessed show for the first time that the NDA government obtained better jets at much cheaper prices and Congress and Rahul Gandhi now stand completely exposed.
Rahul Gandhi while hitting out at the NDA government said,"Under UPA regime, the Rafale aircraft was pegged at 520 crores. I don't know what happened or who was spoken to, but PM went to France- who he went with everyone knows. And magically the price of the aircraft went up to Rs 1600 crore. The Defence Minister is seated here- she first said that I will inform the price of the aircraft- she said this in public.
"After that, Defence Minister clearly said that I can't give the details because the French govt and the Indian govt has a secrecy pact. I myself met the French President, and I myself asked him- is there any pact between the 2 governments and the French President said that there is no such pact between the governments. Under pressure from the Prime Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has lied to the nation", he further said.
Here's how the papers accessed contradicts Rahul Gandhi's statements:
RAFALE DEAL VS MMRCA DEAL AS PER CRITICAL DOCUMENT
AVG COST PER UNIT WITH ENHANCEMENTS
UPA: RS. 1705 CRORES
NDA: RS. 1646 CRORES
AVG COST PER UNIT WITHOUT ENHANCEMENTS
UPA: RS. 1627 CRORES
NDA: RS. 1372 CRORES
TOTAL COST
UPA: RS. 1,72,185 CRORES
NDA: RS. 59,262 CRORES
AVERAGE COST PER AIRCRAFT
UPA: RS. 911 CRORES
NDA: RS. 688 CRORES
TOTAL COST OF AIRCRAFT
UPA: RS. 110772 CRORES
NDA: RS. 24785 CRORES
WEAPONS + SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
UPA: RS. 15823 CRORES
NDA: RS. 8955 CRORES
INDIA SPECIFIC ENHANCEMENTS
UPA: RS. 9855 CRORES
NDA: RS. 9855 CRORES
TRAINING + TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
UPA: RS. 14027 CRORES
NDA: RS. 5897 CRORES
INFRASTRUCTURE
UPA: RS. 17884 CRORES
NDA: 0
Earlier Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge moved a privilege motion against PM Modi and Defence Minister Sitharaman alleging they misled the Parliament on Rafale Deal.
Addressing a press conference, Congress leader, and former Defence Minister A. K. Antony had said that he had revealed the prices of many defence contracts in the Parliament because under the constitution, the government cannot deny revealing the prices as they are scrutinised at various levels.
He also stated that the Rafale aircraft was selected after considering many companies in December 2012 and that the price for each aircraft was settled, adding that a tender for 126 Rafale aircraft was issued.
"There is no transfer of technology in this new deal, so it doesn't substantiate the rise in price of aircrafts," said Anthony.
"When there is no secret deal that prevents revealing the prices, how can they keep it a secret?" Antony added.
Updated 14:12 IST, July 25th 2018