Rafale dogfight continues
■ PM acted as middleman, committed treason, says Rahul
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “treason” and violating the Official Secrets Act by acting as Anil Ambani’s “middleman” in the Rafale jet contract, citing an email to claim the businessman was aware of the deal days before India and France finalised it.
“This is now treason, nothing less. Mr Narendra Modi is doing what spies do. He is informing somebody of defence matters, he is under oath to protect these secrets,” Mr Gandhi said.
“This is a breach of the Official Secrets Act,” he added.
The BJP, however, rejected the charge, saying the email purportedly by an Airbus executive referred to a helicopter
deal and not Rafale.
Reliance Defence, in a statement, also refuted Mr Gandhi’s allegation saying the “proposed MoU” mentioned in the email referred to its cooperation with Airbus Helicopter.
Reliance Defence said on Tuesday said the “proposed MoU” mentioned in a purported email cited by Congress president Rahul Gandhi had “no connection” with Rafale fighter jet contract.
Mr Gandhi on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “treason” and violating the Official Secrets Act by acting as Anil Ambani’s “middleman” in the Rafale jet contract, citing an email to claim the businessman was aware of the deal days before India and France signed it.
“Purported email being referred by the Congress Party is regarding the discussion between Airbus and Reliance Defence regarding Civil & Defence Helicopter Programs under ‘Make in India’,” said Reliance Defence in a statement.
It said that discussion on proposed MoU was clearly with reference to co-operation between Airbus Helicopter and Reliance.
It had no connection whatsoever to Government Agreement between France and India for 36 Rafale aircraft, it said.
The statement said that it is in public domain that Airbus Helicopter has partnered with Mahindra for the Military Helicopter Program.
“Also, for the record, MoU for Rafale aircraft was signed between France and India on 25 January 2016 and not in April 2015. From the above, it is evident that the facts are being deliberately twisted and reality being ignored,” said the company.
Mr Gandhi released to the media an email dated March 28, 2015 purportedly written by Airbus executive Nicolas Chamussy to three recipients with the subject line “Ambani”.