Rafale deal: Dissent note demolishes Modi govt’s arguments, says Rahul Gandhi, rubbishes CAG report

Sharpening his attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday rejected the CAG report into the 36-fighter jet deal, saying it does not mention the dissent note written by the Indian negotiators.

“The CAG report is rubbish,” said Rahul, when asked about his precise comments on the CAG report.

Addressing media on the last day of the 16th Parliament at the AICC headquarters, Rahul further said the argument on price and faster delivery of Rafale fighter jets, being put forward by the Modi government, has been demolished by the dissent note. The Congress president further stated that the only reason behind signing the new deal was to give ₹30,000 crore to businessman Anil Ambani.

“You recall the argument given by PM Modi, DM, Ex-DM- Price and the fact that Air Force needed the aircrafts quickly…The arguments given by the prime minister for the new Rafale deal was price and faster delivery. This has been demolished,” said Rahul.

Reiterating the demand for JPC investigation into the deal, Rahul asked, “You say there was no scam, then why are you afraid of ordering a JPC?”

The CAG report tabled on Wednesday claimed that the Rafale deal signed by the Modi government to procure 36 fighter jets from France’s Dassault got 2.86 per cent cheaper price than what was negotiated during the previous UPA regime in 2007.

However, the report does not disclose the pricing details.