IAF defends the country, but Modi stole its money to give it to Anil Ambani: Rahul

Congress president Rahul Gandhi Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying while the Indian Air Force (IAF) was defending the country, Modi stole Rs 30,000 crore from the force and put it in businessman Anil Ambani's pocket.

He asked chowkidars (watchemen) not to get worried over the slogan "chowkidar chor hain" as the country knows that "it is meant for Prime Minister Narendra Modi".

Speaking at the party's Parivartan Ulgulan Maha Rally at the Morahbadi Ground here with leaders of the Mahagathbandhan, Gandhi reiterated that Rs 30,000 crore was "wrongfully" given to Anil Ambani in the purchase of Rafale fighter planes.

Ulgulan is the term used for the movement of justice and independence launched by legendary tribal fighter Birsa Munda against the British in the 19th century.

Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) president and former chief minister Babulal Marandi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and state's former deputy chief minister Stephen Marandi and Rashtriya Janata Dal's former MLA Ram Chandra Singh were present at the rally.

The Congress chief stuck to his rally schedule, and did not visit ailing RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, neither did he speak to Prasad over the phone.

There was speculation on whether the Congress president would contact Prasad to break the logjam over seat-sharing among grand alliance partners in Bihar and Jharkhand ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Prasad has been in Ranchi's Birsa Munda jail since December 2017 after his conviction in Rs 900-crore fodder scam cases that broke out in the early 1990s in united Bihar.

"Vaayu Sena desh ki raksha karti hain aur hamare PM uske paise chori kar ke Anil Ambani ko Rs 30,000 crore de dete hain (The IAF defends our country but the PM steals its money and gives Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani)," he said taking a jab at Modi, a day after IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardhaman returned home from Pakistan captivity.

The AICC chief claimed that former France President (Franois Hollande) had said 'Modi had said if Rafale deal was to be sealed then Anil Ambani should be given the (offset) contract.'
"I tell them not to get worried, the entire country knows that when we say 'chowkidar chor hain' it is clearly meant that we are talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Gandhi said adding, "one chowkidar has defamed all chowkidars."