New Delhi: Former French president Francois Hollande's comment that the Indian government had proposed Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as the India partner in the Rafale jet deal has snowballed into a political controversy in the country. Congress President Rahul Gandhi, in his sharpest attack on PM Narendra Modi, said "former French president Francois Hollande is calling the Prime Minister of India a thief" and that the PM needs to break his silence. His allegations have been sharply countered by Law Minister and senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, who responded saying that Rahul Gandhi had made a "shameful, irresponsible statement".
On Friday, French journal Mediapart had quoted France's ex-President Francois Hollande as saying: "We did not have a say in this... the Indian government proposed this service group and Dassault negotiated with (Anil) Ambani group. We did not have a choice, we took the partner who was given to us."
The French government has issued a statement, saying they were not involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners. "The French government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners who have been, are being, or will be selected by French companies," the statement read.
Here are the live updates on Hollande's comment on Rafale deal:
Sep 22, 2018 17:15 (IST)
It is important to expose Rahul Gandhi's lies. In August 2007, a Request for Proposal was issued. Two companies came forward. The deal was finalised after nine years: Ravi Shankar Prasad
Sep 22, 2018 17:09 (IST)
Rahul Gandhi is chargesheeted in National Herald case with his mother. He is silent on land grabbing accusations against his brother-in-law (Robert Vadra): Ravi Shankar Prasad
Sep 22, 2018 17:02 (IST)
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addresses media on the controversy
Sep 22, 2018 17:01 (IST)
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the accusations were baseless. "It makes no sense to create a controversy over the Rafale issue. On the said utterance of former President of France, the Defence Ministry has already issued a statement and has stated that they are verifying it. It is my understanding that all accusations are completely baseless, were always so and will remain baseless," he said.
Sep 22, 2018 15:36 (IST)
It is now for the prime minister to clear his name... We are absolutely convinced that the prime minister is corrupt. And one thing is for certain... that the chowkidaar of the country is actually a chor: Rahul Gandhi
Sep 22, 2018 15:35 (IST)
He (Mr Hollande) says that in the meeting with the prime minister he was told that this was his only option: Rahul Gandhi
Sep 22, 2018 15:35 (IST)
The former French president has clearly and categorically said that the prime minister himself suggested the name of Anil Ambani's company: Rahul Gandhi
Sep 22, 2018 15:34 (IST)
What is staggering is that the prime minister is still silent on it. Not a single word from him. Here you have the former president of France who met the PM one-on-one made such a big revelation: Rahul Gandhi
Sep 22, 2018 15:33 (IST)
It is a question of the dignity of the office of the prime minister. Not just that it is a question of our nation's security, of the security of our soldiers: Rahul Gandhi
