Rahul Must Apologise: BJP Protests at Cong HQ Over Rafale Remarks
SC dismissed the review petitions against its verdict in the Rafale deal on grounds that they lacked merit
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Video Editor: Mohammed Irshad Alam
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, 14 November, responded to the Supreme Court's order on the Rafale Deal, saying it has opened a huge door for a probe into the deal.
A day later, the BJP held protests outside the All India Congress Committee (AICC) office, demanding an apology from Gandhi over his remarks on Rafale verdict.
Soon after the verdict, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh demanded an apology from Gandhi, for his attempt to malign Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Not only Singh, but everyone from the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court and lauded the ‘government’s transparency in decision making.’
Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the verdict and said the the Supreme Court’s decision “yet again, reaffirms Modi sarkar’s credentials as a government which is transparent and corruption free.”
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also addressed the media in a press conference where he accused Rahul Gandhi of lying in the Parliament.
What Was The Verdict?
The Supreme Court on Thursday, 14 November, dismissed the review petitions against its verdict in the Rafale deal on grounds that they lacked merit, reiterating its clean chit to the Modi government in the fighter jet agreement with French firm Dassault Aviation.
The court also closed the contempt plea against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for wrongly attributing to the apex court his "chowkidar chor hai" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the Rafale case.
‘Truth Has Prevailed, Congress Must Apologise’: BJP on Rafale Verdict
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the allegations of corruption were aimed at maligning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded that the party apologise for it.
“The issues pertaining to defence preparedness and national security should never be politicised. I wholeheartedly welcome the Supreme Court's categorical dismissal of the review petitions in the Rafale case and with this pronouncement the NDA Government stands vindicated. The SC verdict is also a judgment on our Government's transparency in decision making,”
Hitting hard at Rahul Gandhi, BJP working president JP Nadda said the Congress leader had tried to mislead the country on the issue and should now apologise.
‘Today’s Decision Reaffirms Modi Sarkar’s Credentials’
Calling the apex court’s verdict a testimony to PM Modi’s “transparent and corruption free” government, Amit Shah sought apology from the Congress.
“Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the review petition on Rafale is a befitting reply to those leaders and parties who rely on malicious and baseless campaigns,” Shah tweeted.
BJP leaders also took a dig at the former Congress president after the apex court asked him to be careful in future while closing a plea for contempt case against him for wrongly attributing certain comments on the Rafale deal to it.
Echoing similar sentiments BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said truth has triumphed and that it is a huge victory for the Modi government.
"Truth triumphs. Truth can be bothered but not defeated," he said.
Former Member of Parliament (MP) and spokesperson of the BJP, Baijayant Jay Panda also took to Twitter to celebrate the court’s verdict.
Former IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal (retd) BS Dhanoa also welcomed the verdict, saying the ruling vindicated the government's position and that it will have positive impact on overall military procurement, according to PTI.
"It is a welcome verdict, vindicating the government's position on the issue. We are happy that finally the controversy is buried," Dhanoa said.
‘Justice Joseph Has Opened a Huge Door Into Investigation’
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Justice Joseph of the Supreme Court “has opened a huge door into investigation of the Rafale scam,” and demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for the probe.
Congress Spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said an independent body was free to investigate the matter, according to the SC verdict and that the BJP’s celebration were a little premature.
“As usual, BJP Govt is misleading the Nation on impact of judgment (sic),” Surjewala said.
Activist Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, one of the petitioners in the case, also referred to Justice Joseph’s observations and questioned why an FIR was not registered and no investigation done by the CBI,
“SC today dismissed review petitions in Rafale. However Joseph J has said that our complaint makes out a serious case&FIR should have been registered&investigation done by CBI. But because PC Act was changed to require govt permission,that must be taken. Why is CBI not seeking it? (sic)” Bhushan questioned.
‘Apologise to Honourable Shri Anil Ambani Ji’: Sanjay Jha’s Sarcastic Remark
Congress national spokesperson, Sanjay Jha tweeted his reaction, sarcastically apologising to Anil Ambani, Chairman of the Reliance Group.
Jha later went on to clarify his tweet and explain his sarcasm.
(With inputs from ANI & PTI.)
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