Had Lokpal been implemented, Modi would be 'number one

Prime Minister Narendra Modi would have been "number one accused" in the Rafale issue had the Lokpal law been implemented, the Congress on Monday claimed as the opposition targeted the government in Lok Sabha on the fighter jet deal.

If anybody has to be held guilty in Rafale deal, "it is the PM and PM alone", Congress leader Veerappa Moily said launching a scathing attack on Modi and the Union government during a discussion on the interim budget.

Trinamool Congress' (TMC) Saugata Roy claimed the Rafale issue has "exposed the chinks" in the government's armour.

It has proved the government is no longer incorruptible, he said.

Citing recent critical media reports on the fighter aircraft deal, Moily alleged that the Rafale issue has become a "household scandal" and that Modi may "escape" his responsibility today but not in the days to come.

While the defence budget saw only a paltry increase in absolute terms and the allocation to the sector as percentage of the GDP has gone down, he alleged the ruling BJP is using money to "buy" MLAs, build "palatial" offices and filling its coffers.

On the Rafale deal, in which the Congress has accused the government of corruption, Moily said, "Now it is crystal clear why Lokpal (law) is not being implemented. If it had been in place, the PM would be number one accused."
In an apparent reference to Modi's comments about his "56 -inch chest", Moily said, "When bullet of corruption is hit, his broad shoulders cannot bear it."