Govt must come clean on Rafale deal: Congress

New Delhi: On a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emannuel Macron, the Congress targeted the NDA government over the Rafale deal, claiming that it is turning out to be a “mother scam” and asked it to come clean.

Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said the “high” price India had paid to France for the purchase of the fighter aircraft compared to prices paid by countries like Egypt and Qatar was not some “charity” and the Modi government should answer as to where the money had gone.

People are asking in whose pockets this money has gone, he told reporters.

Vadakkan said his party had been raising the issue for the last three days. But “not a word from the government or the BJP was heard in response. Not even a denial”, he said.

The BJP had on Friday rejected the Congress’ charge, saying it was spreading “lies and confusion” to mislead the nation.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said it is “irresponsible and anti-national” to allege corruption in the Euro 7.5 billion deal with France to supply the fighter jets.

“Where is the corruption? It is irresponsible and anti-national to make such allegations”, he said speaking at a media event.

However, the Congress again raked up the issue on Saturday and likened the government’s stand to a cat drinking milk with its eyes shut in the belief that nobody will watch it.