Govt misled nation on Rafale deal: Congress

new delhi — In a fresh offensive, the Congress on Monday said there was no secrecy clause in a 2008 Indo-French pact forcing the government not to divulge the price details of the Rafale deal, and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of “lying” in the parliament on the issue.

Days after Congress president Rahul Gandhi assailed the government in parliament over the Rafale deal, the party fielded three of its top leaders — former defence minister A K Antony, Anand Sharma and Randeep Surjewala — who demand- ed the Modi dispensation must re- veal the price details of the aircraft.

The leaders also released a copy of the confidential agreement the UPA government had signed with France in January 2008, to drive home the point that it does not restrict India to reveal the price details of the Rafale deal.

They also indicated that Congress may give a privilege motion notice against the prime minister and Sitharaman.

According to the copy of the agreement released by the Congress, both French and Indian governments, in accordance with their national laws, shall take all measures necessary for the protection of classified information and material provided to them under it or in accordance with agreements, contracts or sub-contracts concluded between or by the two sides or by their authorised agencies.

In his address during the debate on the no-confidence motion against the government on Friday, Rahul had said that French President Emmanuel Macron had told him during a meeting here earlier this year that there was no secrecy pact that restricts India from revealing price details of Rafale aircraft.

After Rahul’s remarks, the French Foreign Ministry had said France had signed a security pact with India in 2008 which legally binds the two countries to protect the classified information which could impact security and operational capabilities of the defence equipment.

In his reply to the motion, Modi asked Rahul to not make such

“childish” allegations on such sensitive issues having security implications, while Sitharaman completely rejected the Congress leader’s charges.

The 2008 pact was renewed during Macron’s visit here in March as the agreement had lapsed.

In Monday’s press conference, Antony said the government’s claim that a secrecy clause in the pact was forcing it to not reveal price details of the deal was “totally wrong”.

They have to reveal price details of each aircraft, said Antony, adding that the more they are trying to hide, the more suspicion there is about the deal.

Antony also said the government cannot hide the price details of the Rafale jets as the deal has to be scrutinised by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) as well as Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

“They must reveal the price details of the aircraft and they must also tell us why a company was selected as offset partner which has no experience manufacturing aircraft,” said Antony, alleging the private player has benefited by millions.

His colleague Anand Sharma said the government owes Parliament an explanation on why Modi and Sitharaman “misled” the nation on the price issue. —