Did not support Modi, will never do that: Sharad Pawar on Rafale remarks

TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ Under flak for allegedly “defending” Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Rafale deal, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said that he would “never” do that and claimed the country was “looted” in the multi-billion dollar fighter jet purchase from France.

Pawar’s comment comes days after his earlier statement that people had no doubt about Modi’s intentions in the purchase of the fighter jets, was inferred as defence of the prime minister. He demanded that the government explain to Parliament the escalation in price of Rafale jets from Rs 650 crore during the UPA rule to Rs 1,600 crore under Modi.

The NCP leader, who is being seen as a key figure in galvanising opposition parties as a common force against the ruling BJP, rejected the reports that he had ever supported the escalation of the price of the fighter jets.”The decision to purchase the jets was taken when the Congress-led UPA was in power. The price of jets was decided at Rs 650 crore under (then prime minister) Manmohan Singh. These jets were purchased at Rs 1,600 crore by Modi. I never supported this and would never do,” he said.