‘ Official victimised for query on price’

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at the Modi government for reportedly targeting a defence ministry official who allegedly raised “objections” over the price of the Rafale jets. Taking to Twitter, Mr Gandhi wrote a poem in Hindi alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave benefits to “crony capitalists” at the cost of state- run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the Rafale deal. Mr Gandhi also alleged that the officer who raised questions over the deal was penalised, while those who sided with the government were rewarded.

Mr Gandhi also tagged a media report that alleged that the defence ministry official who raised objections over the price of the Rafale jets “proceeded” on a month’s leave and the 36- Rafale deal was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council thereafter.

Citing the same media report, Congress communications chief Randeep

Singh Surjewala, in a tweet, claimed that the Modi government “sent on leave the ‘ whistleblower’” who questioned the loss to the state exchequer “by paying 300% extra for 36 Rafale”. He also alleged that a senior officer, who overruled the official who raised questions over the Rafale jets pricing, was made a member of UPSC . “Perks of pleasing Modi Govt cover corruption tracks,” he claimed. After former French President Francois Hollande claimed that the Indian government chose the Indian partner for the Rafale deal a political slugfest has broken out between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP had alleged that the Congress president was involved in a “conspiracy, internationally” and Mr Hollande was part of the “nexus” to sabotage the Rafale deal.

Mr Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.