Cong fighting for defence dealers, BJP members in LS

BJP Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur today hit back at the Congress on Rafale issue, alleging that it was involved in corruption in various defence deals and has always kept the interest of "its family ahead of the country".

Participating in the discussion in Lok Sabha on the fighter jet deal with France, he said the Congress governments could not buy a single aircraft in 10 years and added that BJP had strength to buy 36 aircraft.

"We are looking into pricing... There is no commercial favouritism. I want to convey that the Modi government has taken a decision in the interest of the forces," he said.

Unlike under Congress rule, the decisions by the BJP government are taken in interest of the country, he said.

If the Congress, he said, had taken a decision on Rafale issue earlier during its tenure, then "we would have not done Rafale (deal)".

"Three thousand jeep scam was the first scam by the Congress Party after independence. No defence deal was completed by the Congress without 'a deal'," Thakur alleged.

The Congresss Party has always kept the interest of its family ahead of the country, he alleged.

He claimed that there was a long list of the scams which took place during Congress rule including Submarine scam, Bofors, AgustaWestland, 2G, National Herald and Coal.

"All these were used for your political funding," he alleged and added that the Congress should "stop the game of corruption".

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia raised objection stating that the BJP member was making "unsubstantiated and defamatory statements" in the House.

Thakur said that the person who inititated the discussion on Rafale is "confused", "corrupt" and is out on bail.

Without naming Rahul Gandhi, he said that the confusion in that leader was to such an extent that he spoke on Rafale "for 20 minutes and in that speech he spoke 20 lies".

Prem Singh Chandumajra of Shiromani Akal Dal said that there were other important issues for discussion including that of farmers.

But the Congress, he said, has wasted the time of the house by demanding discussion on the Rafale deal.

Nishikant Dubey (BJP) said that from the past six to seven months, the Congress party has had no other work.

"It is not bothered about the farmers, the unemployed, dalits and scheduled castes. It is only concerned about Rafale," he said.

He referred to six companies and some middlemen to target the Gandhi family and Congress. He also spoke of alleged links between 'RV', an apparent reference to Robert Vadra, and a businessman.

Congress has always compromised the security of the country and the party is only "fighting the fight of defence dealers", he alleged