PM Narendra Modi Counters Rahul Gandhi on Rafale, Asks if Deal Was Halted by UPA Due to 'Michel Mama'

Mumbai, January 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a counter-attack on Congress President Rahul Gandhi over the Rafale fighter jet deal. Speaking at a rally in Solapur, Modi questioned as to whether the Rafale Deal was halted by the UPA due to the interference of alleged Agustawestland middleman Christian Michel. "As per media, the middleman of helicopter deal who has been brought to India from a foreign country was not only involved in the helicopter deal, but also in France fighter jet deal of previous government," Modi said. AgustaWestland Middlemen Christian Michel, Guido Haschke Also Pitched For Eurofighter Typhoon in UPA's Rafale Deal: Reports.

Modi added, "Kahin Michel Mama ki Saudebazi se hi wo deal ruk to nahin gayi thi? In tamam sawaloon ka jawab agenciyan to doondh hi rhi hain, desh ki janta bhi jawab maang rahi hai (Was Michel uncle involved in the Rafale deal being halted? While the agencies are trying to find out, the people of the country also want answers)."

Reports had said that Michel along with Guido Haschke had strategised for Rafale's competitor Eurofighter to win the deal in its favour. During raids at middleman Haschke's residence and offices, a ‘strategy paper’ was seized. The paper revealed that both were trying to put Eurofighter Typhoon in a ‘win zone’. No One Can Save Narendra Modi From Rafale Probe, Says Rahul Gandhi After Supreme Court CBI Verdict.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has continued to attack the Prime Minister asking for a one on one debate on the Rafale Deal. No one can save Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Rafale investigation and the entire nation will know "without a shadow of doubt" that he has taken Rs 30,000 crore of people's money and given it to his "friend" Anil Ambani, Gandhi said on Tuesday as the Supreme Court reinstated CBI Director Alok Verma. Rafale Deal Row: Rahul Gandhi, Nirmala Sitharaman Lock Horns on HAL Contracts.

"The CBI chief was ousted at 1 am in the night because he was about to begin a probe into the Rafale deal. The CBI chief has been reinstated and we have got some relief. Now let's see what happens," Gandhi said.

Gandhi has been targeting Modi on the deal alleging the price of each Rafale aircraft has sharply increased from Rs 526 crore, negotiated by the previous UPA government, to Rs 1,600 crore and that the contract will help Anil Ambani get Rs 30,000 crore benefit through offset contract.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 09, 2019 01:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).