(Image source from: moneycontrol.com)

Congress President Rahul Gandhi held press conference today on Rafale Deal after report in The Hindu Newspaper surfaced.

In the report it claimed that Defence Ministry expressed strong reservations to the parallel negotiation conducted by the Prime Minister’s Office in Rafale Jets Deal.

In the following note prepared by Defence Ministry said that “It is desirable that such discussions be avoided by the PMO as it undermines our negotiating position seriously.”

The Hindu tweeted:

Exclusive: The Defence Ministry had protested against PMO undermining #Rafale negotiations, reports @nramind #RafaleDeal https://t.co/xtLyJejr6p pic.twitter.com/aMpzMbICLs

— The Hindu (@the_hindu) February 7, 2019

The report says “It is, therefore, clear that such parallel discussions by the PMO has weakened the negotiating position of MoD and Indian Negotiating Team. We may advise PMO that any Officers who are not part of Indian Negotiating Team may refrain from having parallel parlays with the officers of French Government. In case the PMO is not confident about the outcome of negotiations being carried out by the MoD, arevised modality of negotiations to be led by PMO at appropriate level may be adopted in the case.”

In the press conference Rahul Gandhi said “Today in the Hindu newspaper, it is absolutely black and white, that the prime minister himself was carrying out a parallel negotiation with the French.”

“I want to speak to all youngsters and all armed forces personnel. You fight for us, you die for us... you must know this, that it is clear that PM Modi gave 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani.”

“The defence ministry itself has said that the PMO is interfering in negotiations.

“Francois Hollande too had told me that PM Modi himself told him to choose Anil Ambani's company.Hence proved that Chowkidaar is the Chor. It cannot be any clearer.”

Quoting the note Rahul Gandhi says, “It is desirable that such discussion is avoidable by the PMO, as such discussion affects our negotiations”... these are the quotes of the defence ministry. When an officer puts this in writing, it makes it very clear as to what is happening.”

He also said that he didn’t talked about Rafale deal when he met Manohar Parrikar recently “No, I did not speak about Rafale with Manohar Parrikar when we met recently. It would be inappropriate for me to discuss this at such a time.”

He added, “PM Modi should explain to the armed forces, especially the air force, why he is interfering with the negotiations?. Look at the PM, look at me. who do you think look rattled?”

“You do whatever enquiry and investigation whatever you want... investigate P Chidambaram and (Robert) Vadra, but also investigate Rafale,” he asserted.

Rahul says, “The entire Supreme Court judgment on Rafale becomes questionable now. Because information was withheld by the government.”

-Sai Kumar