Scribes get threat calls for reporting Rafale scam: Rahul

Continuing his tirade on the Modi government on its Rs 60,145 crore Rafale fighter jet scam, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday claimed journalists reporting about it are getting threat calls asking them to back off.

In an apparent reference to the BJP leaders targetting the journalists, he tweeted: “Supreme leader’s minions are now sending threatening messages to journalists reporting on the #RafaleScam asking them to back off or else..."

He praised those reporting the scam details despite the threats. “I’m really proud of the few brave press people who still have the guts to defend the truth and stand up to Mr 56,” he said.

Rahul’s remarks come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed at a gathering in Lucknow that he was happy to stand with the industrialists and work with them for India’s prosperity.

Senior Congress MP Ahmed Patel decried Modi trying to twist the Congress charge of promoting crony capitalism.

In a tweet, he said it is certainly good to stand with the industrialists but not to serve interests of only two persons and raise the income of the BJP party. “Stand with them, but also think about the nation and future of the youths,” he said.

Asserting that the Modi government can not pull wool over the nation’s eyes, Congress chief spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted four questions to the PM:

1. Do u know where Mehul Choksi is?

2. Has a red corner notice been issued?

3. Has PM/FM spoken to their counterparts in Antiqua?

4. How was Choksi allowed to visit Hong Kong, UAE, UK, US?"

Surjewala was hinting at Choksi holed up in Antiqua and securing its passport within three months of PM Modi speaking to its prime minister.