Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Saturday took a dig at Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for saying that the NDA government got the Rafale aircraft deal at a cheaper price, questioning if it was so, why did it not buy seven squadrons instead of two.
In a series of tweets, Chidambaram said Jaitley has been maintaining that in the Rafale deal, negotiated by the NDA government, the price of the aircraft was cheaper by 9 per cent or 20 per cent.
"If so, why did the government buy only 36 aircraft and not 126 aircraft," he asked.
The former finance and home minister said the Indian Air Force has been maintaining that its fighter aircraft strength is depleted and it needs at least 7 squadrons (126 aircraft).
"Then, why did the government buy only 2 squadrons (36 aircraft)," he questioned.
Chidambaram said the aircraft maker was willing to sell 126 aircraft and according to the finance minister the price is cheaper.
"Then, why buy only 36 aircraft? Will someone please solve this mystery?
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