Shock, anger in India after French Prez’s revelation on Rafale deal

Leading Indian politicians and commentators are reacting with shock and anger to former French President Francois Hollande’s revelation in an interview to a French news website, that the Narendra Modi government had asked the French government to nominate Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Ltd as the partner for Dassault Aviation in the ₹58,000 crore Rafale jet fighter deal and neither France or Dassault had any choice in the matter. Previously, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had told the nation that the Indian government had absolutely no role in selecting the offset partner of Dassault Aviation, the maker of Rafale jets.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after holding talks with then French President Hollande on April 10, 2015 in Paris. The Opposition has been accusing the government of choosing Reliance Defence over state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for the deal, to benefit the private firm though it did not have any experience in the aerospace sector.

Reactions to Hollande’s revelations came thick and fast from leading Indian politicians, journalists and commentators. Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying “The PM personally negotiated and changed the Rafale deal behind closed doors. Thanks to François Hollande, we now know he personally delivered a deal worth billions of dollars to a bankrupt Anil Ambani. The PM has betrayed India. He has dishonoured the blood of our soldiers.”

“How can we tolerate a government which speaks lies?” tweeted former BJP leader and former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha.

Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said “Defence Minister has been called out again! This time by then President of France, Mr Hollande. In the NDA negotiated Rafale aircraft deal, we have got no aircraft, we have got only lies. What is the new lie that the government will put out in response to Mr Hollande?”

“It's a significant revelation. A website in France disclosed that French President Hollande made a statement that Dassault didn’t choose Mr Ambani’s company and it was GOI which insisted on choosing him as a partner with Dassault. It contradicts what GOI has been saying,” ANI quoted senior Congress leader and former Law Minister Kapil Sibal as saying.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two Defence Ministers Manohar Parrikar, Nirmala Sitharaman and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley repeatedly lied to nation on Rafale Scam. They not only mislead the country but trashed the trust of billions. PM must resign for being partner, said Rashtriya Janata Dal leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav.

National President of Swaraj India Yogendra Yadav said “Don't remember Defence spokesperson responding with such alacrity! This government is nervous. They are caught. And they know it.”

Yadav’s colleague, senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan said “This is explosive! Former French President Hollande, with whom Modi signed the new deal for 36 Rafale planes, says that the French and Dassault had no say in selecting Ambani as the partner (commission agent?) For the deal! Was recommended by Modi. Is this also secret Modiji?”

“Raksha Mantri with all nostrils blazing smeared Hindustan Aeronautics. Others from Modi's inner bhakt circle put the onus for the choice of Anil-bhai Ambani on the French. Here is some clarity on the biggest scam ever under the cloak of national security,” tweeted senior journalist Sukumar Muralidharan.

This should be a lesson to Indian media. journalists are not in the business of issuing clean chits. We need to investigate scams. Not happened yet in the Rafale deal.

“Now there's going to be a cat-fight in France. Hollande has nothing to hide. But, for the French government—actually for both Paris and Dassault—the Rafale deal is hugely important. I also anticipate more TV appearances by the IAF air marshals,” tweeted senior journalist Ajai Shukla.

“So far radio silence from Govt. on the Hollande bombshell, barring the holding statement from MoD. As for DPRK media, *crickets*,” tweeted journalist Sreenivasan Jain.

*Developing story

Also Read

Former HAL chief contradicts Sitharaman, says could have built Rafale jets; report

Nirmala Sitharaman at war with HAL, which comes under her own ministry

Congress leaders meet CAG to demand a probe into the Rafale deal

“Deliberately spreading lies”; reactions to Nirmala Sitharaman’s comments on Rafale, fuel price, JNU

Supreme Court advances hearing on plea for Rafale probe to Oct 10

Rafale deal: Modi Govt compromising national security, says AK Antony

PM Modi is culpable in the Rafale scam: Shourie, Sinha and Bhushan

Cong rejects Jaitley’s contention on Rafale, says FM unaware of def procurement policy provisions

Rafale deal: Congress launches nationwide campaign against Modi government

Rafale deal: Govt ignored defence procurement procedure, says Chidambaram

Ravi Shankar Prasad lying to save Modi on Rafale deal, says Congress

Rafale Deal: Sonia Gandhi leads protest at Parliament, demands JPC probe

Cong seeks Modi’s reply on Rafale after former BJP ministers raise questions