War on Rafale deal escalates, now Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh demands JPC probe

SP chief said that only JPC can bring the truth related to the Rafale deal to fore.

NEW DELHI: Joining the Government-Opposition war over the Rafale fighter jet deal, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday demanded a probe by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the controversial defence deal between India and France.  

Speaking to news agency ANI, the SP said that without a JPC the truth will not come out as the issue has now become global.

''We demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe on Rafale deal. Without a JPC, the truth will not come out, the issue has now become global,'' Akhilesh said.

We demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on #Rafaledeal, without a JPC the truth will not come out, the issue has now become global: Akhilesh Yadav pic.twitter.com/ViJbLAhKO1 — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 23, 2018

Adding a fresh twist to the ongoing political war over Rafale deal, former France president Francois Hollande claimed that it was the Indian government which proposed the name of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence as its partner in the aircraft deal. 

Grabbing the opportunity to the attack the Centre, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi called PM Narendra Modi a “thief” and “corrupt”, which evoked a sharp reaction from the ruling BJP.

Replying to Congress party's attack, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out scrapping the Rafale jet deal.

Jaitley said that former French President Francois Hollande contradicted himself and neither the Indian nor the French government played any role in selection of Reliance as offset partner by Dassault.

The Congress-led Opposition raised fingers at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded resignation of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Jaitley, in a television interview, said there appears to be some 'jugalbandi' (connection) between the statements of Hollande and Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

"I am surprised? On August 30, he (Gandhi) tweeted that bombs are going to explode in France (over Rafale deal). How he came to know about that?,'' Jaitley asked.
"Though I do not have any proof of this jugalbandi, but this creates suspicion in mind?There is definitely something ... A statement comes (from Hollande), then it is contradicted. But he (Gandhi) predicted this to happen 20 days in advance," he said.

Jaitley added that there is no question of scrapping the Rafale jet fighter deal as it is meant to meet the needs of the country's defence forces.

"Koi prashna nahi uthta. Ye fauz ki avashaktya hai. Ye desh mei ana chahiye, aur ye ayega. (No question of scrapping the deal. These (jet fighters) are needed by the defence forces. They should come and they will come)," he said when asked whether the government could cancel the deal in view of the forthcoming general elections in 2019.

Earlier in a Facebook post titled 'A Questionable Statement Which Circumstances & Facts Demolish', Jaitley wrote: "The former French President's first statement rhymes with Rahul Gandhi's prediction."

The Minister also accused the Congress party leaders of using vulgar language and said public discourse is not a "laughter challenge".

"I have said how public discourse should be. It is not a laughter challenge. You go and hug someone, then you wink, utter lies 4-6-10 times. Your words should reflect intellect. Vulgarity and abusive language does not suit the world's largest democracy,'' he added.

Jaitley said a controversy is sought to be created on the basis of a statement made by Hollande that the Reliance Defence 'partnership' with Dassault Aviation was due to the suggestion of the Indian government.

"He (Hollande) has, in a subsequent statement, said that he is 'not aware' if Government ever lobbied for Reliance Defence and that 'the partners chose themselves'. Truth cannot have two versions,'' Jaitley said.

Referring to Hollande's remarks, Jaitley said, "The French Government and M/s Dassault Aviation have categorically denied the correctness of the former President's first statement.''

''The French Government has stated that the decision with regard to the offset contracts of Dassault Aviation are taken by the company and not the Government. Dassault Aviation itself has suggested that they have entered into multiple contracts with several public sector and private sector companies with regard to the offset contracts and the decision is entirely theirs," he added.

As per the second statement of Hollande, Dassault and Reliance selected themselves as partners, the Minister said.

"This contradicts his first questionable statement which the French Government and Dassault have denied. The facts contradict the same. His second statement in Montreal, Canada to AFP (news agency) makes the veracity of his first statement even more questionable," he added.

Hollande was the French president when the Rs 58,000 crore deal for buying 36 Rafale jets was signed in 2016.