New Delhi, January 2: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday called Congress president Rahul Gandhi a liar and called the audio clip of Goa minister Viswajit Rane fake, based on which Congress is levelling the allegations. The Union Minister claimed that the Congress president undermined the Supreme Court judgment and dared him to authenticate the documents. But during his speech, Congress MPs threw paper planes at him, trying to show their disagreement with his justifications on Rafale deal.

Answering to the questions raised by the Gandhi in the Winter Session of Lok Sabha, Jaitley stated that it is a tragedy for the entire country that the grand old party is headed by a person who doesn’t even have the basic understanding of what a basic combat aircraft is. He said, "It is a tragedy for the country that grand-old Congress party is today headed by a gentleman who doesn’t even have the basic understanding of what a basic combat aircraft is." Rahul Gandhi Poses Questions on Rafale Deal to PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha, Speaker Turns Down Permission to Play Goa Minister Audio Clip.

Targetting on Gandhi to authenticate the document, the Union Finance Minister said, "Today he (Rahul Gandhi) tried to produce a document in parliament, and he was too scared to authenticate it because he knows his party manufactured it." Jaitley accused the Congress president to come clean for the AgustaWestland, National Herald and Bofors, rather than to accuse on BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said, "If the fingers point at you in AugustaWestland, National Herald and Bofors, then it is a bit too much. Today, they have the audacity to raise an allegation against us." Adding more, he said, "There are a few families who understand issues on money, but not matters on the country."

Accusing the Congress of delaying the process of defence deals, Jaitley said, "There is a speciality about UPA in decision making that is if the aircraft being selected is not the one whose commerce you have dealt with then delay the transaction, make it impossible."

Lets look at the answers of Jaitley, asked by Gandhi:

Q1: Why there was a delay in acquisiton of Rafale fighter jets?

AJ: In the press statement that was released with President Francois Hollande, terms and conditions were mentioned. 74 meetings were held to decide on various details. When an agreement was reached after 74 meetings, then The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) got involved.

Q2: Why contract was given to Anil Ambani's Reliance Aviation?

AJ: HAL required 2.5 higher man-hours than French counterparts, Why wasn't this observation made by UPA?

Q3: Who changed the requirements of the Indian Air Force?

AJ: If they (Congress leaders) were aware of what happened in 11 years, we wouldn't have to answer these questions on what is being done in two years. Our escalation clause is better than their escalation cause. I am amazed Congress doesn't understand the definition of offset.

Q4: On there is an objection to Joint Parliamentary Probe?

AJ: Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on offset, pricing, among other issues have already been reviewed by Supreme Court. Rafale deal is not a policy matter. It's about transparency. If Supreme Court is satisfied, why would JPC review it? In JPCs, people are divided on party lines.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 02, 2019 03:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).