Cong will launch investigation into Rafale scam if voted to power in 2019: Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi Friday said if his party comes to power in 2019, a criminal investigation will be launched into the Rafale deal and those found guilty will be punished.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament ahead of the government's reply in Lok Sabha over the issue, he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running away from the debate and posed a series of questions to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"Let me tell you that if we come to power in 2019, then there will be (an) investigation (into the Rafale deal). There will be a criminal investigation and the people responsible will be punished," Gandhi told reporters.

He added that the Supreme Court had said in its judgement that inquiring into the Rafale deal is not in its jurisdiction, but nowhere did it say that an inquiry should not be held.

"We and the entire opposition want that when the defence minister speaks on the prime minister's behalf, the questions raised by us should be answered," the Congress chief said.

Gandhi said his questions were what the youngsters were asking Modi.

"Who decided to raise the price of the aircraft from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore? Whose decision was this? Was this an air force decision, was it the defence ministry's decision or was it the prime minister's decision? There has to be a clear-cut answer, no confusion....," he said.

Gandhi also questioned the decision to reduce the number of aircraft to be bought from 126 to 36.

"Who took this decision and were national security concerns considered when this decision was taken?" he asked.

The Congress chief also asked if the Air Force had sought the reduction in the number of aircraft.

Gandhi asked if the defence ministry had objected to any element of the new deal.

"Did they question this deal? Are there documents with the defence ministry that show that they opposed this deal? She (Nirmala Sitharaman) should clearly state (that) no, there are no documents in the defence ministry that clearly state that the defence ministry was against the deal. That is the statement that what we want to hear from her," he said