Rafale-deal: Government's defense and opposition's attacks make political discourse ugly
What's the story
The bombshell, which former French President Francois Hollande dropped about the Rafale deal, has snowballed into a full-blown political controversy, with the opposition demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resignation and Centre denying all charges. In the latest development, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley slammed Hollande saying truth cannot have two versions. Meanwhile, political discourse in the country got ugly with allegations and counter-allegations.
The statement
Hollande claims Reliance was 'imposed' on France
Hollande, who was France's President when the deal was inked, in an interview said Reliance Defence was 'imposed' on them. Dassault, the Rafale manufacturer, made Anil Ambani's company its offset partner. When Hollande was asked if India pressurized in making Reliance as partner, he said only Dassault could answer it. Notably, Dassault said they chose Reliance as part of India's 'Make In India' policy.
Defense
In blog post, Jaitley says Hollande's statements are contradicting
Amid the storm which Hollande's statements started, Jaitley wrote a blog post to draw interest towards 'conflict of interest'. Jaitley wrote there was no 'partnership' as claimed by Hollande and it is a government-government deal, which will give Indian Air Force weaponized aircrafts. About Hollande's statements, Jaitley wrote, "His second statement to AFP makes the veracity of his first statement even more questionable."
Details
"First they say Hollande was bribed, then make him prime-witness"
Jaitley based his attack on a tweet which Congress posted on August 31. "It is evident that Anil Ambani bribed President Hollande through his actor-partner to get the Dassault partnership," the tweet read. Jaitley wrote, first, the Congress claimed a former President was bribed by an Indian company and then used him as a primary witness. Hollande's statements rhymed with their prediction, he said.
Facebook Post
Here is Jaitley's post countering Congress and others
The deal
Jaitley says whole thing could be well orchestrated
Jaitley added it wasn't a mere coincidence that opposition of two countries were saying similar things. "I think he (Rahul Gandhi) is in some kind of a revenge mode. I won't be surprised if the whole thing is being orchestrated," Jaitley told ANI. About Congress President, Rahul Gandhi's allegations that Centre dishonored martyrs' blood, Jaitley said Congress delayed the deal.
Twitter Post
But why isn't PM Modi speaking? Jaitley answers
Let me tell you, those who are to speak have spoken. Merely because somebody can resort to untruths and vulgarity is no reason for the PM to participate in a debate of this kind: FM Arun Jaitley on why PM Modi has not spoken on #RafaleDeal #FMtoANI pic.twitter.com/rjvxP8wl0h
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2018
Statement
Centre defends itself, denies all charges of corruption
While Saturday was mired with Congress-led opposition launching attacks on the Centre, by evening Union Government hit back. Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted the allegations showed the desperation of Congress as they were out of power. "No wonder today the buzz is #RahulKaPuraKhandanChor (Rahul Gandhi's entire family are thieves)," she tweeted and soon the hashtag became viral. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also joined.
Twitter Post
Ravi Shankar Prasad sweeps in to defend Centre
Govt of France issued clarification against Rahul Gandhi’s claims in Parliament about his conversation with French President. Rahul Gandhi said Manmohan Singh was also present there. Can Manmohan Singh confirm if Mr. Gandhi said in Parliament was correct?#RahulKaPuraKhandanChor
— RSPrasad Office (@OfficeOfRSP) September 22, 2018
Twitter battles
Separately, opposition trends #Mera_PM_Chor_Hai to counter BJP
The opposition's trend #Mera_PM_Chor_Hai (My PM is a thief) on Twitter got thousands of reactions with many saying that PM Modi should step down. Earlier on Saturday, Gandhi tweeted, "The PM and Anil Ambani jointly carried out a Rs. 1.3 trillion surgical strike on the Indian defence forces." The stage for 2019 is set, and it will definitely get uglier hereon.