More skeletons tumbled out of the Rafale closet when French daily Le Monde’s reported that Anil Ambani’s French-registered telecom company was given tax waivers worth €143.7 million by local authorities, shortly after the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to buy 36 Rafale jets in fly away condition.
French reporter Julien Bouissou took to Twitter with his report that said French authorities had found discrepancies in Reliance Flag Atlantic France’s overseas transactions within other Reliance companies. Alleging they didn’t follow transfer prices, French authorities fined the company twice, following two separate audits, for 60 million euros and 91 million euros.
After the first audit, the company had offered to settle the matter with a payment of 7.6 million euros, which the French authorities had declined. However, months after the Rafale deal was signed, this old offer was accepted by the French authorities.
The fresh revelations became fodder for not just the Opposition but also Twitterati. Congress’ official Twitter handle took a witty dig at the Modi government saying, “Modi to French govt: I'll scratch your back if you scratch Anil Ambani's.”
Keshav Chand Yadav, National President of Indian Youth Congress said “This is Modi directly benefiting Ambani for funding his elections and taking HAL to dumps.”
Journalist Vinod K Jose said this is a “globalised scandal”. “This story is here to stay for several years,” he tweeted.
Other journalists also posed questions. “What do the French government & Dassault know about Ambani’s capabilities that his bankrupt businesses don’t indicate? Why did he get such special treatment from the French?” Swati Chaturvedi tweeted.
Did Modi pay an exorbitant price for 36 Rafale to settle his friend’s tax liability in France, asked scribe Ravi Nair.
Journalist Rifat Jawaid there’s “more trouble and embarrassment ahead for Modi and his crony Anil Ambani.”
Journalist Joy Das said if the electoral bonds BJP got were made public, one could get a hang of the money trail and corruption.
Lawyer Prashant Bhushan tweeted “Chowkidar’s crony is a lucky guy.”
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