No reference to Rafale deal in email cited by Rahul Gandhi: Reliance Defence
New Delhi, Feb 12 (IBNS): After Rahul Gandhi's allegation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a “middleman” for Anil Ambani, Reliance Defence on Tuesday claimed that the “proposed MoU” mentioned in a purported email cited by Congress president is related to the company's cooperation with Airbus Helicopter and had “no connection” with the India's deal of buying 36 fighter jets from France.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Rahul cited an email of Ambani stating the latter knew he will be chosen as an offset partner 10 days prior to the deal was signed.
Rahul said: "An email has come into light that states, 'A. Ambani visited the Minister's office... Mentioned MoU in preparation & intention to sign during PM visit.' How is Anil Ambani meeting the French Defence Minister prior to PM's visit?"
"Narendra Modi acted as a middleman of Anil Ambani. The Prime Minister should explain this," the Congress chief said.
In response, a Reliance Defence spokesperson said in a statement: “Purported email being referred by the Congress Party is regarding the discussion between Airbus and Reliance Defence regarding Civil & Defence Helicopter Programs under ‘Make in India’.”
“The discussion on proposed MoU was clearly with reference to cooperation between Airbus Helicopter and Reliance. It had no connection whatsoever with Government to Government Agreement between France and India for 36 Rafale aircraft,” the spokesperson added.
Rahul further alleged that Modi is involved in corruption.
"Sharing the defence information with Anil Ambani is itself a criminality. This can put him to jail as he is under the oath to maintain secrecy," said Rahul. However, the Congress supremo didn't clear whether his party will take the case to the court though he said he will educate public with these revelations.
"No doubt that the Prime Minister is a corrupt man," Rahul added.
BJP attacks Rahul:
Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said Congress president Rahul Gandhi was a "lobbyist of competitive plane supplier companies".
Speaking to reporters shortly after Rahul accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of treason for allegedly violating the Official Secrets Act, Prasad said the email the Congress president was referring to concerned Airbus and not Rafale. Rahul Gandhi had furnished an email allegedly written by Airbus that apparently reveals Anil Ambani had prior knowledge of a defence deal that was going to take place between India and France.
Prasad went on to add: "It is our very serious charge with full sense of responsibility that Rahul Gandhi is working as a lobbyist of competitive plane supplier companies."
"Let Rahul Gandhi first explain from where did he get the internal email of Airbus. Who is supplying him?"
Prasad said during the UPA regime entire cabinet notes would reach AugustaWestland chopper scam alleged middleman Christian Michelle.
Saying that Airbus itself is suspected to have carried out several shady deals during the UPA's time, Prasad said: "Airbus had transferred more than Rs 100 crore in UPA government's man Rahul Talwar in Singapore."
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