Salient points of virtual press conference of BJP National Spokesperson Dr Sambit Patra

 

SALIENT POINTS OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE BJP NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON DR. SAMBIT PATRA

 

If a country’s NGO alleges some wrong doing and complains about it, and then that country’s financial crimes prosecution wing investigates it, then it should not necessarily be seen as corruption. A French NGO, Sherpa, moved France’s Public Prosecution Service's financial wing (PNF) against an allegation related to the Rafale deal. The PHF has appointed a magistrate to look into the matter. It is the same process where when a file comes to an official, he/she will pass it forward with the note that appropriate steps be taken as per rules. It is a natural process, but the way in which Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party are playing politics over such trivial issues is really sad.

 

Congress party is today synonymous with lies and confusion, and in fact, Rahul Gandhi is already a factory of lies. Today also Rahul Gandhi and Congress have lied about the Rafale deal and have tried to spread confusion. As far as investigations are concerned, the Supreme Court of India has already given its judgement, and even the CAG has placed its report before the public.

 

The people of Hindustan have seen the judgement of the Supreme Court and the CAG. The apex court had even lashed at Rahul Gandhi for his statements, and he had apologies for it before the highest court in India.

 

It seems Rahul Gandhi is talking like an agent of a competitor company. The Rafale deal is the biggest defence deal in the country in which no commission is being paid to the Gandhi family.

 

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as well Rahul Gandhi had tried to spread lies. But it did not help him as after winning in the Supreme Court, the people of India voted back to power our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi with absolute majority.

 

Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have several times lied about the Rafale deal and have changed their statements many times on the deal size. The truth is that the Sonia Gandhi-Manmohan Singh government took their own sweet time in finalising the Rafale deal, thereby endangering our country’s security. The UPA government of the Congress could not finalise this deal in 10 years.

 

On the Rafale deal, the Supreme Court had clearly said that the Centre has followed the requisite procedures for the deal, and that is why another review of the deal is not required. It cannot be disregarded that Rafale is important for India’s security and the deal was pending for many years. The Modi government was completely transparent and honest in the Rafale deal and that’s why no investigation is required.

 

Rahul Gandhi had also spread lies hinting at former French President Hollande’s statements on the Rafale deal. He had even lied trying to corner the government in the Parliament. After Rahul Gandhi’s statements, the French government refuted his claims and said that the agreement does not allow the parties to reveal any information.

 

Rahul Gandhi has changed his statements on the value of the Rafale deal several times. In the Parliament, he said that the Rafale jet is being bought for Rs 520 crore. In Karnataka its cost was inflated to Rs 526 crore, while in Rajasthan, the fighter jet’s cost was further inflated to Rs 540 crore. In a rally in Delhi, he said the jet is costing Rs 700 crore. It is clear that Rahul Gandhi does not even know the real cost of the fighter jet.

 

Rahul Gandhi said that the Supreme Court has found serious allegations and charges in the Rafale deal during the hearing, whereas, the apex court threw out the petitions of those who were approaching the court at the behest of the Congress party. It clearly said that the government has done nothing wrong in the deal.

 

Twisting the reports in the French media, Rahul Gandhi said that Dassault had to make Ambani an offset partner to secure the deal with India. On the other hand, the Dassault CEO and the Supreme Court have said that the Indian government had nothing to do with the matter. There are many other India companies along with Reliance in offset partners. The Supreme Court has already said the deal was conducted honestly and transparently.

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(Mahendra Pandey)

Office Secretary