CPI(M) says CAG report ‘total obfuscation of truth’ Report on Rafale could have been manipulated: Shiv Sena

NEW DELHI: The CPIM on Wednesday said the CAG report on Rafale deal presented in Parliament raised more questions than answers and alleging that it is "total obfuscation of the truth".

In a detailed statement the party said that it was clear that the deal was "costlier" not "faster in terms of delivery" and the Indian Air Force does not procure the planes in quantity it actually needs.

"Therefore, this deal has imperiled our national security interests...the government must clarify that unlike its submission in the Supreme Court, has it also kept the CAG in the dark by not providing all materials?," it said.

The party also alleged that the report does not answer a single question concerning the corruption associated with the deal and "crony capitalism".

"These answers can only be provided by an appropriate independent probe later. This report is a total obfuscation of the truth. This has, one again reconfirmed the manner in which the independence and autonomy of constitutional authorities is being assaulted by this Modi government," the statement said. MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena on Wednesday questioned the veracity of the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) report on the Rafale jet deal, saying it could have been manipulated.

The Sena is the BJP'S alliance partner in Maharashtra as well as in the Centre, though it frequently attacks the saffron party.

Speaking to the media here, Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande asked why the Union government did not accept the demand of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe into the fighter jet deal.

Opposition parties led by the Congress in the past had called for a JPC probe.

The CAG report submitted in the Parliament earlier in the day said the deal negotiated by the NDA government to procure 36 Rafale fighter jets was 2.86 per cent cheaper than the UPA'S 2007 negotiation.

“There is a possibility of manipulation in the CAG report as has been in the case of other institutions.

“The CBI and ED have been misused in the past.the BJP is doing what the Congress did,” Kayande alleged.

Government of West Bengal North Bengal Development Department

Branch Secretariat Annex Building Fulbari, District Jalpaiguri Pin- 734015