Former defence minister AK Antony addresses a press conference on the issue of Rafale deal.
The Congress party is ready to escalate its all out attack with Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government over the Rafale fighter aircraft deal to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) today. Party sources said that it has demanded a thorough probe into the high-profile Rafale fighter aircraft deal. Earlier on Tuesday, Congress accused Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of "suppressing facts" on the Rafale deal. It has also asked the government to publish "the price of the Congress-UPA's deal of 126 aicraft and the price of Modi government's 36 aicraft deal including the price of each aircraft."
The Congress also said it'd approach the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to expeditiously and quickly adhere to their constitutional duties.
Here are the Highlights of Congress Protest Against Rafale Deal:
The government said a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee or Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) cannot be set up to go into Rafale fighter jet deal to satisfy the ego of a "ill-informed" Congress leaders.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that all evidence and facts relating to the Rafale deal have been submitted to the CAG.
Congress says the CAG is already auditing the Rafale deal. They have submitted further evidence for them to peruse.
Senior Congress Leader Anand Sharma said, "We submitted a detailed memorandum along with enclosures which very clearly establishes irregularities in Rafale purchase. We hope that the matter will be looked into by CAG."
Congress leaders meet Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Rafale fighter jet deal, demand report on alleged irregularities.
The Congress party is demanding that the Modi government publish the price of the Congress-UPA's deal of 126 aircrafts and the price of its 36 Rafale deals.
What Is Rafale Deal Controversy? All You Need To KnowIn September 2016, India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France, dubbed as "Rafale deal", in which India bought 36 off-the-shelf Dassault Rafale twin-engine fighters for a price estimated to be Rs 58,000 crore or 7.8 billion Euros.