NEW DELHI: BJP on Saturday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is being used as a “pawn” by competing defence companies to raise doubts on the Rafale fighter deal and claimed that the opposition party keeps raking up allegations of corruption in an attempt to “weaken” India.
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the reports pertain to a complaint by an NGO and more facts were needed, and criticised Congress for making corruption synonymous with defence deals when it was in office. Patra cited the CAG report and the SC verdict, which had found no wrongdoing in the defence deal, to reject allegations of Congress. “This is first time that the Gandhi-Nehru family has not been able to get any kickbacks…Obviously they are disturbed and making ungrounded allegations,” he said.
“The way Rahul Gandhi is behaving, it will not be an exaggeration to say he is being used as a pawn by competing companies. He has been lying right from the beginning on the issue. Probably, he is acting as an agent or some member of Gandhi family has been doing so for a competing company,” Patra alleged. Citing several examples, Patra claimed that Gandhi had cited misrepresented facts and had to even tender an unconditional apology in the Supreme Court for coining the term “Chowkidar Chor Hai” while claiming the court’s observations confirmed his allegations of corruption.
“There is a non disclosure clause about the pricing of the deal … However, details have been given to the SC and the CAG, which gave clean chit and said there was no wrongdoing in the procedure and acquisition of Rafale fighter planes,” Patra said and added, “It seems that there has been a deal between competing firms and Gandhi.”
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the reports pertain to a complaint by an NGO and more facts were needed, and criticised Congress for making corruption synonymous with defence deals when it was in office. Patra cited the CAG report and the SC verdict, which had found no wrongdoing in the defence deal, to reject allegations of Congress. “This is first time that the Gandhi-Nehru family has not been able to get any kickbacks…Obviously they are disturbed and making ungrounded allegations,” he said.
“The way Rahul Gandhi is behaving, it will not be an exaggeration to say he is being used as a pawn by competing companies. He has been lying right from the beginning on the issue. Probably, he is acting as an agent or some member of Gandhi family has been doing so for a competing company,” Patra alleged. Citing several examples, Patra claimed that Gandhi had cited misrepresented facts and had to even tender an unconditional apology in the Supreme Court for coining the term “Chowkidar Chor Hai” while claiming the court’s observations confirmed his allegations of corruption.
“There is a non disclosure clause about the pricing of the deal … However, details have been given to the SC and the CAG, which gave clean chit and said there was no wrongdoing in the procedure and acquisition of Rafale fighter planes,” Patra said and added, “It seems that there has been a deal between competing firms and Gandhi.”