New Delhi, November 21: Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Wednesday targeted the Narendra Modi-led government over several issues including demonetisation, Rafale deal and Goods and Services Tax (GST). The Rafale fighter jets deal, GST and demonetisation have got the BJP and the Congress at loggerheads. At a press conference in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, Singh termed demonetisation as a monumental failure and claimed that no black money was recovered. Taking a jibe at PM Modi, Singh said the job promises made by Narendra Modi in 2014 are still pending. Centre Submits Details of Aircraft Pact With France in Sealed Cover to Supreme Court, Hearing on October 29.
"Modi Government will never accept it, no black money was recovered. Demonetisation didn’t achieve any of the objectives that were stated by the Government", Singh added. On Rafale deal, Singh said that people of the country are suspicious of the deal and want to know the truth. He said the opposition and various groups are demanding a joint parliamentary committee but the Modi government isn’t ready for it. Rafale Deal: Supreme Court Refuses To Issue Notice To Narendra Modi Government, But Seeks Report Over Decision Making Process.
Take a Look at Manmohan Singh's Address:
LIVE: Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh addresses the media at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. #MPWelcomesDrSingh https://t.co/CI60ijv9ED
— Congress (@INCIndia) November 21, 2018
The former Prime Minister said all parties should come together to defeat BJP. Even earlier, Congress President Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not being truthful about the deal. Gandhi had urged the government to reveal the price it paid for the aircraft. To this, the government said making the details public would compromise national security. Rafale Deal: SC Asks Centre to Submit Pricing and Strategic Details of French Aircraft Deal in a Sealed Cover Within 10 Days.
Earlier this month, the Congress criticised Modi of compromising national interest on the Rafale issue. According to reports, the party also accused the prime minister of accepting in the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by him, the higher 'benchmark price' of Euro 8.2 billion instead of Euro 5.2 billion for the 36 aircraft, despite objections by the Defence Acquisition Council and the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar not approving it.
In the last week, Congress said the PM Modi's silence on what it claimed is fresh proof of irregularities in the Rafale deal is a precursor to a "massive storm" the government is about to face.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2018 03:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).