Rafale Row: Jaitley Hits Back At Rahul, Rejects Demand for JPC

The finance minister also raised the AgustaWestland and the Bofors cases to attack Congress.

Jaitley also said that conspirators who have played with India’s national security have the audacity to raise questions on a defence deal.

(Photo: ANI/Altered by The Quint)

Video Producer: Shohini Bose

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bharadwaj

The Parliament session on Wednesday, 2 January, saw Rahul Gandhi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitely engage in a sparring match over the controversial Rafale fighter jet deal.

Rahul Gandhi took on Modi saying the prime minister can give “fixed” interviews but does not have the guts to come to Parliament and confront questions.

“Yesterday, PM seemed scared and tired in his interview. He said no one was questioning him on the Rafale deal. The whole country is questioning you,” Gandhi said.

But Jaitley ripped into Rahul Gandhi and his family, accusing him of lying. He also said that conspirators who have played with India's national security have the audacity to raise questions on a defence deal.

Jaitley Asks Rahul to Authenticate the Audio Clip

Rahul Gandhi quoted excerpts from the Parrikar audio clip and said Parrikar told Goa cabinet minister that he has the files of Rafale deal in his cupboard. Gandhi also sought to play the audio in the Parliament.

But Speaker Sumitra Mahajan disallowed it after Jaitley’s objection. She asked Gandhi to authenticate the clip or face expulsion if it is found to be “false” and “fabricated”.

To this Rahul Gandhi said, “I understand that you are terrified, I will not play the tape, if it makes you happy.”

Jaitley Dismisses JPC, Says SC Has Given Clean Chit

Rahul Gandhi demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale deal.

“We demand a JPC in this matter. I tell the BJP leaders that there is nothing to worry. The truth will come out. The country will know that Narendra Modi, on whom they relied, will know that he bypassed the entire procedure and gave Rs 30,000 crore to AA (Anil Ambani),” he said.

But Arun Jaitley dismissed his demand saying, it's not a matter of policy or governance.

“As the Supreme Court has given the deal a clean chit, there’s no need to further investigate the matter.”

Arun Jaitley on JPC probe. 

Rahul Gandhi Has a Legacy of Lying: Arun Jaitley

Jaitley also alleged that "conspirators" of past defence scams are now raising fingers at the Narendra Modi government.

"There are some people who have a natural dislike for truth. Every word spoken for the last six months on this subject, including in this House (by them) are false... He has a legacy of speaking falsehood," Jaitley said.

Jaitley added that Gandhi has a “natural dislike for truth” and had earlier “manufactured” his conversation with the former French president, which was denied by the French government.

Finance Minister Raises Bofors, AgustaWestland to Attack Gandhi

In what sounded like a jibe at the Gandhi family, Jaitley said some people and their families understand the arithmetic of money but cannot comprehend issues of national security.

He also attacked Rahul Gandhi when he said, “the grand old party of Indian politics is headed by a person who doesn't have the basic understanding of what a combat aircraft is.”

The finance minister also raised the Bofors, AgustaWestland and the National Herald cases, and made a veiled reference to Ottavio Quattrocchi to attack the Congress.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)