Manohar Parrikar tears into Rahul Gandhi's remarks, slams 'dalali' in defence deals during Congress regime

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday hit back at Rahul Gandhi over his 'dalali' remark, saying those who "focused on profiteering" in defence deals fully understood the meaning of the word.

Pic courtsey: ANI

Goa: Amidst political bickering over 'surgical strikes' carried out by the India Army across LoC at terror launch pads. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday that there was 'dalali' in submarines  and helicopter deals.

"When I became the minister and looked into it, I realised that there was 'dalali' and scam in submarine deal, then in (AgustaWestland) helicopter there was 'dalali'. There were allegations of 'dalali' in Pilatus training aircraft (deal). After that in Embraer aircraft. Those who only focused on 'dalali' (profiteering) fully understand what the word 'dalali' means," Parrikar said.

 "The BJP government does not understand this... This is why we don't intend to use the valour of the Indian army in any election," he added.

"We have seen severe criticism following the surgical strikes in PoK. We are being blamed for taking credit for surgical strikes and trying to gain political mileage from it. Let me make it clear, BJP does not want to take credit for the sacrifices of the Indian soldiers or their bravery," Parrikar further said at public meeting in Mapusa town of Goa.

On the operation by the Army the minister said, "If surgical strike was a failure, Opposition would have not spared us. The political will, courage and execution power showed by Modi-led government has not been seen in the past. In future, Indian army will have so much strength that none of the nations would dare to look at the country with an evil eye."

"Indian Army is capable to face any adversity, no need of proof of surgical strike I believe," Parrikar maintained, as per ANI. 

Without naming Pakistan, he said the statements from the neighbour reflected the success of the surgical strike.

"We don't need certificate from anyone for the success of the surgical operation, it has already been certified by those against whom surgical strikes have taken place," Parrikar said.," he pointed out.

"The country which is not powerful cannot talk of peace. Only the powerful nations are heard when they talk of peace. Today, the world is listening to us," Parrikar said, as per PTI.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi had recently told a rally in Delhi, "Jinhone Hindustan ke liye surgical strike kiye hain, unke khoon ke peeche aap chhupe hain. Unki aap dalali kar rahe ho. Yeh bilkul galat hai. (You (Modi) are hiding behind the blood of soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir and those who carried out the surgical strikes for India. You are exploiting their sacrifices, which is very wrong)."

Rahul's remarks that the Modi government was "profiteering" from the blood spilt by soldiers had drawn criticism from BJP which accused him of insulting the armed forces.

However, Rahul and his party maintained that they supported the military action but denounced "political propaganda" on the issue.