Modi govt lied on India-specific enhancement in Rafale deal: Congress

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said India-specific enhancements in the NDA deal were the same as the UPA deal.

"India specific enhancements in NDA Deal are the same as the UPA Deal – Yet PM & Defence Minister lie on enhancement of cost per aircraft from ₹526 Cr to ₹1,670 Cr!!" Surjewala said in a statement.

He said that, "Modi govt has now been caught in a web of its lies of its own making, 'Lie', 'Belie' & 'Fly' in the face of stark truth, is the chameleon like character of Modi government."

"Fresh evidence uncovered everyday punctures gaping holes in its false narrative," said the Congres spokesperson.

The party also demanded answer from the Modi government.

"The party said the deal caused a massive loss of Rs 41,000 crore to public exchequer by purchasing the 36 Rafale aircraft with the same configuration at thrice the price i.e. Rs. 526 crore per aircraft during Congress-UPA to Rs 1,670 crore per aircraft during Modi government," claimed he.

Surjewala also said that the party compromised national security by purchasing only 36 aircraft instead of 126 that too without the consultation of the Indian Aif Force.

He said Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley "brazenly lied" to the country by trying to whitewash the Prime Minister's sins when they said the aircraft bought by the BJP govt is different on account of 'India Specific Enhancements.'

The party said the claim of Modi government that aircraft cost is increased on account on additional technical specifications was blatantly false.