Arun Jaitley Defends Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Rafale Deal, Says Rahul Gandhi is in 'Revenge Mode'
Jaitley dismissed the question whether the Rafale deal will matter in the 2019 general elections and defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
New Delhi, September 23: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday, talking to news agency ANI said that the timing of statement by former French President Francois Hollande on Rafale deal and leaders of the Opposition is not a mere co-incidence. Jaitley also said in the interview that the Rafale deal will not matter in the 2019 general elections. Jaitley said that "Congress can believe anything, but you must remember a basic principle of conduct" and said that "Men may state inaccurate facts, circumstances never lie."
Jaitley ferociously defended the Rafale deal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the allegations of Opposition and Congress President Rahul Gandhi saying that "there could be a linkage between Congress President Rahul Gandhi's charges on the NDA government and Hollande's statement on Rafale deal."
Talking on Rahul, the finance minister said that "I think he (Rahul Gandhi) is in some kind of a revenge mode. I won't be surprised if the whole thing is being orchestrated. On August 30, why did he (Rahul) tweet "Just wait for a while, some bombs are going to be burst in Paris"? And then what happens is in perfect rhythm with what he predicted," Jaitley said.
Francois Hollande created a political storm in India when he told French Journal Mediapart in an interview that the French side had no role in deciding the Offset partner for Dassault and the name of Reliance was given by the Indian side. Rafale Deal Controversy: Former French President Francois Hollande Claims Modi Government Imposes Decision To Select Reliance Defence Ltd As Offset Partner.
Hollande made this statement while defending himself and his partner Julie Gayet over alleged funding by Reliance of the latter's film. Ex-French President Francois Hollande Calling PM Modi a Thief: Rahul Gandhi Fires Fresh Salvo on Rafale Deal Row.
However, soon after his statement to Mediapart, Hollande back tracked and went on to tell French agency AFP in Canada that he was unaware whether India had put pressure on Dassault to work with Reliance adding that"only Dassault can comment on this". Rafale Deal Row: France 'Did Not Choose Reliance', Only Dassault Can Comment on This, Says Francois Hollande.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called him a "thief" for allegedly favouring Anil Ambani led Reliance Defence in the Rafale deal.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2018 10:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).