Parliament highlights: PM pitches for majority govt; Cong slams Rafale deal

PM Modi took potshots at Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale issue and made a strong pitch for electing a majority government in national interest, as he addressed the 16th Lok Sabha for the final time

9:18 PM

3 Bills passed in Lok Sabha, 4 Bills in Rajya Sabha: Narendra Singh Tomar

8:23 PM

The India-specific enhancements for 36 Rafale aircraft are the same as 126 aircraft. Euro 25 million per aircraft is the excess amount paid in the new deal to make the same enhancements. That is exactly where the corruption has taken place: Rahul Gandhi 

8:22 PM

Why is BJP fearing JPC on Rafale deal, asks Rahul Gandhi

If there is no scam in the Rafale deal, then agree for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Why is the BJP fearing JPC?: Rahul Gandhi

8:21 PM

Only reason for new Rafale deal was to give Rs 30,000 cr to Anil Ambani, alleges Rahul Gandhi

Here stand demolished the 2 pillars on which the entire government's argument for the new deal is based. The only reason for the new deal is to give Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani: Rahul Gandhi 

8:20 PM

Final Rafale price will increase further: Rahul Gandhi

The final price offered by the French government, which is escalation-based, is 55.6 per cent above benchmark, which is for firm and fixed price. Considering the future escalation till the time of delivery, the final price would further increase: Rahul Gandhi on Rafale deal

8:18 PM

New Rafale deal gets India the aircraft later than original deal: Rahul Gandhi

You recall the argument given by PM Modi, the defence minister and ex-defence minister on price and the fact that the Airforce needed the aircraft quickly. The fact of the matter is, the new deal signed by Narendra Modi gets India the aircraft later than the original deal: Rahul Gandhi 

8:15 PM

Earlier in the day, Congress President Rahul Gandhi held a press conference to speak about the Rafale deal. 

7:52 PM

Figure of Rafale being 2.86% cheaper under new deal fake, false: Congress

Even the "eyewash" CAG report has demolished the argument of the BJP leaders by stating that the aircraft were cheaper by 2.86 per cent, Surjewala said. "The manufactured figure of 2.86 per cent by the CAG is horribly fake and false," Surjewala added. (Read more here)  

7:50 PM

'Chowkidar Auditor General' report on Rafale an eyewash: Congress

The "Chowkidar Auditor General" report is a mere "eyewash" as it even fails to mention the price of the Rafale aircraft, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman have in Parliament reiterated the NDA purchase of the aircraft was 9 per cent to 20 per cent cheaper as compared to the UPA-era offer, Surjewala said. (Read more here)  

7:49 PM

CAG report on Rafale deal a 'Chowkidar Auditor General' report: Congress

Earlier on Wednesday, the Congress dubbed the CAG report on the Rafale deal as a "Chowkidar Auditor General" report and said the claim that the Modi government's contract to procure 36 fighter jets got 2.86 per cent cheaper price than the UPA-era offer was "fake". The opposition party's rebuttal, in which it also termed the report an "eyewash", came hours after the much-awaited Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the controversial transaction was tabled in Parliament. (Read more here) 

6:55 PM

The 16th Lok Sabha passed 203 Bills out of 219 introduced, including one on curbing black money. 

6:55 PM

Referring to the achievements of his government, Modi said that India has become the 6th largest economy and is fast moving towards being a $5 trillion economy. 

6:54 PM

The PM maintained that neither he nor External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj are responsible for India's enhanced image globally. Modi said the credit goes to the majority the government enjoys in Lok Sabha. The credit, he said, goes to the people of the country. 

6:54 PM

Modi said India suffered globally for long due to fractured mandates. But now it is taken seriously in the global arena because of the majority government, he said.

6:54 PM

The Prime Minister praised Speaker Sumitra Mahajan's leadership and said eight of 17 sessions of this Lok Sabha had over 100 per cent productivity. The overall productivity was recorded at over 85 per cent. 

6:54 PM

Modi brings up Rahul's wink and hug episode

Taking a swipe at Gandhi, who was not present in the House at that time, Modi referred to the Congress president's remarks on Rafale, and the hug and "winking" episodes, saying it was a new thing he witnessed as a first time member of Parliament. (Read more here)  

6:53 PM

PM takes potshots at Rahul Gandhi, pitches for a majority govt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took potshots at Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress president's claim of an "earthquake" if he speaks on Rafale jet deal fell flat. Modi, in his final speech in Lok Sabha ahead of general elections, pitched for a majority government, saying the country's image had enhanced globally due to the electoral mandate enjoyed by the current dispensation. (Read more here) 

 

5:38 PM

Hope to see Modi as PM again: Mulayam Singh Yadav

5:21 PM

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die

5:09 PM

5:00 PM

4:56 PM

4:50 PM

PM Modi in Lok Sabha: This House passed the laws to fight the menace of black money and corruption. This House also passed the GST Bill.

4:48 PM

PM Modi in Lok Sabha: The world today is discussing the issue of global warming and India has made an effort for the formation of the International Solar Alliance to combat this problem. 

4:47 PM

4:42 PM

4:39 PM

PM Narendra Modi speaks in Lok Sabha

4:37 PM

Cong defeating BJP in ideological fight: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi alleged that the government's "attack has been systematic". "We are defeating the BJP in the ideological fight. We are defeating the BJP on the daily news cycle and the Congress party is now, firmly entrenched in the mood and spirit of the people," he asserted. (Read more here)  

4:36 PM

Modi's bluster gone over Rafale: Rahul Gandhi

"So there is not a single step for the prime minister to stand on, you can see it in his face, you can see the expression, you can see that, that bluster has gone and that is not Rahul Gandhi, that is the Congress party, Congress workers and all of you," Rahul Gandhi said addressing his party's lawmakers. (Read more here) 

4:35 PM

Entire argument for new Rafale deal has been demolished: Rahul Gandhi at Congress meeting

The "revelations on Rafale, one after the other...Today you see in the Hindu newspaper, that the entire argument for the new deal, the idea that it was cheaper and the idea that planes were needed quickly, has been demolished. Finished," Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday. (Read more here) He was addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party's general body meeting.