TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ Congress chief Rahul Gandhi led a blistering opposition attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday over the Rafale deal, accusing him of betraying India and dishonouring its soldiers, after former French president Francois Hollande’s reported remarks contradicting the Indian government’s stand.
Mr Hollande was quoted by a French publication as saying that the Indian government proposed Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence as the partner for Dassault Aviation in the Rs. 58,000 crore Rafale jet fighter deal and France did not have a choice. Leaders of the Congress, the Left and the Aam Aadmi Party among others lashed out at the government soon after Hollande’s comments were reported.
Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “The PM personally negotiated & changed the Rafale deal behind closed doors. Thanks to François Hollande, we now know he personally delivered a deal worth billions of dollars to a bankrupt Anil Ambani. The PM has betrayed India. He has dishonoured the blood of our soldiers.” The Congress chief has been repeatedly targeting the government over the fighter aircraft deal, alleging corruption and cronyism.