The Buck Stops at Modi’s Doorstep: Pawan Khera on Rafale Claim

Congress leader Pawan Khera spoke to The Quint saying that it is shocking how the ministers have been lying.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also spoke to The Quint, saying that it is shocking how the defence minister and the finance minister have been lying.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Congress on Friday stepped up its attack on the Rafale deal alleging that the government's "complicity, collusion and conspiracy" to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "crony friend" has been exposed following former French President Francois Hollande's reported comments.

Hollande was quoted by the French media as purportedly 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.

Congress leader Pawan Khera also spoke to The Quint, saying that it is shocking how the defence minister and the finance minister have been lying.

He (Hollande) has said something that we have been saying for the last several months. It doesn’t come as a surprise. It is shocking how the defence minister, finance minister, and PM Modi have been lying – from outside as well as inside the parliament.

Pawan Khera, Congress Leader

Khera also said that Nirmala Sitharaman and Arun Jaitley should resign from their respective positions. The Congress had demanded a joint parliamentary committee to investigate the Rafale deal.

Every single BJP leader has been caught lying today. They stand exposed. We are absolutely clear in our minds. Ms Sitharaman should quit, Mr Jaitley should resign.

He also said that all of this is on PM Modi as Ambani also accompanied Modi to France on the same visit that led to the announcement of the deal.

The buck stops at PM Modi’s doorstep now, he is the one who took Mr Ambani with him. He is the one who signed the agreement with his French counterpart who has come out and exposed him today.

Arun Shourie

“They've been saying they have no idea who has chosen Reliance as an offset partner. Today, Hollande says that the govt of India asked them to choose Reliance. I think this ends all speculation. We don't need any more information, any answers from the govt anymore. We demand action, we demand accountability and we demand resignations,” he said.