"PM Lies Wherever He Goes": Rahul Gandhi At Chandrababu Naidu's Protest

On a day The Hindu newspaper published a report on anti-corruption conditions being dropped from the supply clause of the Rafale jet deal, Rahul Gandhi launched another fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the spot where Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu sat on a day-long fast. "PM has taken Andhra money and given it to Anil Ambani," the Congress president declared, repeating his allegation of corruption in the 36-jet deal to benefit the industrialist.

"The Prime Minister became prime minister saying he will fight corruption. Have you read today's Hindu? It is very clear in today's Hindu article that the PM removed the anti-corruption clause. Every defence deal has an anti-corruption clause," said Rahul Gandhi, once again prompting the gathering at Mr Naidu's protest at Andhra Bhawan to say, "Chowkidar chor hai".

Mr Naidu, who quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance last year, sat on a hunger strike to press for special status for Andhra Pradesh and urge the centre to fulfil promises made when Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. On Sunday, PM Modi had at a rally in Andhra Pradesh accused Mr Naidu of wasting public money on political campaigns.

Rahul Gandhi was among the opposition leaders who arrived at Andhra Bhawan to express solidarity with the Chief Minister's protest. "The PM doesn't fulfill commitments to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Is Andhra Pradesh not a part of the country? I stand with the people of Andhra," he said.

On Sunday, PM Modi had at a rally in Andhra Pradesh accused N Chandrababu Naidu of wasting public money on political campaigns

"Mr Modi, wherever he goes, he lies. He goes to Andhra, he lies, he goes to the Northeast, he lies," the Congress president added.

The Hindu newspaper has reported that provisions for anti-corruption penalties and an escrow account for payments were dropped days before the Rafale deal was signed, in what it calls "major and unprecedented concessions" from a government that has repeatedly stressed on fighting corruption in defence deals.

The newspaper had earlier reported on defence ministry objections to "parallel negotiations" conducted by the Prime Minister's Office.

The Congress alleges that the government finalised an overpriced deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets at an inflated price to benefit Anil Ambani, whose inexperienced defence firm was recommended as an offset partner for Dassault, the company manufacturing the aircraft. Both Dassault and the government have denied the allegations.

Disclaimer: NDTV has been sued for 10,000 crores by Anil Ambani's Reliance Group for its coverage of the Rafale deal