Why is govt silent on Rafale price, asks Rahul

Amethi, Sep 25

"We have asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister what is the price of the aircraft. Defence Minister says that she will not let the youth of Hindustan know the price. Defence Minister told us that there is a secret pact between India and France (not to disclose the price)," he told reporters on the second day of the visit to his constituency.

He said he had raked up the issue with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron and asked him whether there was a secrecy pact between the two governments not to disclose the details.

"Again they (Indian government) tell us that we cannot reveal the price of the Rafale aircraft but Macron told me there is nothing as such. If the Indian government wants to reveal the price of the Rafale aircraft they can," the Congress chief said.

"First, the question is why did Defence Minister lie? Then suddenly you get the price of the aircraft Rs 526 crore versus Rs 1600 crore. Even other countries have also bought the Rafale aircraft but not for Rs 1600 crore," he said.

Referring to the offset agreement between French manufacturer Dassault and an Indian private firm, Gandhi said since 70 years HAL has been making aircrafts while the private firm had not made any aircraft.

Making a reference to the deal signed between the two governments headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former France President Hollande, he said (French) journalists had asked Hollande as to who gave the deal to the private firm-- whether it was Modi, the French government or Dassault.

"Hollande told them that, No. The decision was taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the truth," Gandhi said.

He (Modi) always says that he wants to be the chowkidar (watchman) of the nation, not the prime minister. But he has given the money belonging to the people of the country to a private firm, he said.

Gandhi said when he raised questions on these issues in the Lok Sabha, there was no answer from Modi.

"This is truth and this continues and more will come out on Rafale," Gandhi said.

--IANs

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