While countering the allegations levelled by Rahul Gandhi against the Modi government regarding the Rafale deal, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Congress president "wants to help Pakistan".
It’s my charge with full sense of responsibility. Rahul Gandhi is playing in the hands of enemies of India by insisting upon disclosure of all weapon systems.Ravi Shankar Prasad, as quoted by ANI
On Gandhi's 'desh ka chowkidar chor hai' statement, Prasad said:
“Never before in the history of independent India has a party president used such words for a PM. We can’t expect anything else from Rahul Gandhi. He has no quality or ability, he’s there due to his family.”Ravi Shankar Prasad, as quoted by ANI
The law minister also asserted that Reliance and Dassault had entered into an agreement as early as 2012 when the UPA was in power, reported PTI.
Congress Responds
Soon after Ravi Shankar Prasad's address on the Rafale deal, Congress spokeperson Randeep Surjewala held a press conference.
'All Accusations Are Completely Baseless': Rajnath Singh
Earlier on Saturday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that there is no point in raising controversies about the Rafale deal, a day after former French President Francois Hollande claimed that the Modi government chose Reliance for the Rafale deal.
Speaking to ANI, the home minister said:
“There is no point in raising controversies about the Rafale deal. Defence Ministry has released a statement on the statement of former French president (Francois Hollande), that they are verifying it. It is my understanding that all accusations are completely baseless, were always so and will remain baseless.”Rajnath Singh, as quoted by ANI
Singh's comments came on the same day when Rahul Gandhi sharpened his attack on Narendra Modi over the issue. Addressing a press conference, the Congress president asked PM Modi to clarify whether the ex-French president’s words are true or false.
“We’re absolutely convinced that the Prime Minister of India is corrupt... For the first time, an ex-French president is calling our PM a thief... This question is now clearly settled in the minds of Indian people that ‘desh ka chowkidar’ chor hai.”Rahul Gandhi
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