French judge to probe Rafale Deal, Congress demands JPC, BJP hits back

New Delhi:The Congress party on Saturday demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into alleged irregularities in the Rs 59,000 crore Rafale deal, drawing a sharp retort from the BJP which said the grand old party has become synonymous with spreading lies and misconceptions as the Supreme Court verdict and CAG report had given clean chit to the Narendra Modi government.

The Congress' demand for a JPC comes after a report in a French online journal, Mediapart said that a French judge has been appointed to head a probe into suspected 'corruption and favouritism' in the deal with India for 36 fighter jets.

Addressing a press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, 'Rafale corruption is finally exposed and JPC must investigate Rafale Corruption.'

'The scandalous expose of 'Rafale Scam' involving Massive Corruption, Treason, Loss to Public Exchequer has finally been uncovered & laid bare,' he tweeted.

'Congress Party & Shri Rahul Gandhi stand vindicated today,' Mr Surjewala said referring to the party's allegations of corruption in the deal.

Hitting back at the grand old party, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Congress has become synonymous with spreading lies and misconceptions.

Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of corruption, but it did not work as Prime Minister Narendra Modi won the electoral verdict.

He further said, 'As far as the investigation is concerned, the Supreme Court and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) have placed their report on Rafale in the public domain. The people of India have seen both these reports, which found nothing wrong in the defence deal between the Indian and French governments.'

Mr Patra said a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in France has complained about the Rafale deal and a magistrate has been appointed there for the same. 'The way Mr Gandhi and Congress are politicising it, this whole episode is sad,' the BJP spokesperson added.

The Rafale deal for 36 fighter jets was signed in 2016 between the Indian government and French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation.

Supreme Court, CAG and people have already given clean chit to PM on Rafael deal: Sushil Modi

Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday said that allegations in connection with Rafael deal proved to be baseless and politically motivated.

In a tweet, Sushil Modi described the deal as transparent and maintained that Congress which entered into the electoral battle of 2019 on the issue, faced debacle.

He said that CAG, Supreme Court and people have already given clean chit to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on rafael deal.

Suggesting Rahul Gandhi to apologize for repeatedly being proved a "liar", Mr Modi said that Supreme Court not only had turned down all petitions against Rafael deal but had insisted Rahul Gandhi to apologize for misinterpreting the court's order.

The BJP leader said that Rahul Gandhi had no faith in the popular government and supreme court of his own country as he was pleased with initiation of an enquiry over Rafael deal in France where the court has not yet delivered any judgement in this connection.

Outlining details Mr Modi said that the process for purchase of Rafael aircraft was initiated by Congress in 2007 but they could not finalize the deal as they were interested only in the commission.

Now after passage of 9 years, the corruption free NDA government entered into the deal at better terms and conditions which Rahul Gandhi could not bear.(UNI)