New Delhi: After the Congress launched a full campaign against the Modi government over allegations of corruption in the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets, top sources in the party have told ThePrint that it has no issues with the aircraft and the deal would go through smoothly if it comes back to power.
“The Congress party does not have any issues with the Rafale aircraft per se. The problem is the way the contract was negotiated and signed,” a top source in the Congress said.
The Modi government had signed a deal with France and its defence major Dassault Aviation in September 2016 to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets.
Diplomatic sources said top Congress leaders like Anand Sharma and others have also met French diplomats on the Rafale issue, assuring them that there won’t be any issues with the existing contract, and with the new Indian Air Force tender for 114 aircraft if Rafale is selected.
The party manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections has an image of Rafale on the page where it talks about security. The accompanying text talks about strengthening armed forces.
Earlier this year, party leader and former finance minister P. Chidambaram had told The Indian Express that the Congress won’t scrap the deal for 36 Rafale fighters, but will buy more at cheaper rates if it comes back to power.
Also read: Congress promises to investigate Rafale & other deals during Modi rule if voted to power
‘Lower rates’
However, top sources in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that the Modi government’s proposed plan was to buy 72 aircraft. It was expected that once the deal for 36 Rafale fighter jets goes through, another 36 would be bought at cheaper rates.
The rates for the next set of aircraft are supposed to be lower because the government has already paid a one-time fee of €1.3 billion for India-specific enhancements, said the sources.
While 36 aircraft can easily be based in one location, the 2016 contract is for setting up bases in two locations, added the sources.
“The cost for setting up the bases is already paid for in the 2016 contract. Any new Rafale would be cheaper because no payment would have to be paid for India-specific enhancement and for setting up of additional base,” a top source told ThePrint.
The Congress has been using the Rafale issue as a major political plank for its Lok Sabha campaign, accusing the Modi government of crony capitalism by favouring industrialist Anil Ambani and his Reliance group companies.
Also read: Why it makes sense for Rahul Gandhi & Congress to persist with Rafale as 2019 campaign issue
Rahul Gandhi said chowkidar chor hai after SC agreed and admitted the leaked documents of Rafale scam to be looked in and dismissed government’s objections and lame excuses of AG. PM Modi did a greatest mistake of his life at the time when CJI was not Mr. Ranjan Gogoi but I think it was someone else and PM Modi must have thought he could get away with whatever he wanted to do being a PM and no one can question him as his popularity was at peak.
Bakhra Nangal , HMT , ITI , HAL , BHEL , BEML , SAIL, Vishakapatinam Steel plant, Salem Steel Plant , Durgapur Steel Plant , Bhilai Steel Plant , ISRO , NAl , DRDO , TIFR , BARC , Vikram Sarabai Space Centre , Ranjit Sagar Dam , Airports , Indian Railways , 123 Agreement , Shimla Accord , 1965 & 1971 war with pakistan , Creation of a Nation State Bangladesh , Reserve Bank of India , Indian Postal Department and many more did not
happen overnight and definitely not in the past 60 months
Hence a balanced view on expressions need to be maintained rather than repeating a worneout theory of last 70 years , loot , bla bla bla
One should grow up
Only one thought:After 10 years of negotiations and so many ‘Yes’ and ‘No’s,the vendor Dassault Rafale was bound to factor in the cost of 10 years of negotiation in any deal.The extra cost (if any)might be on account of this also.Besides, considering NAMO’s earlier record,corruption does not sound to be a reality.
So senior Congress leaders met and shared their final price to keep their mouths shut… Why write such a big article.
Also if they had problem with signing the jets, why did they initiate it in the first place?
I think the average intelligence (if any) of the Congress today is that of a 6 year old.
I have lot to say but i want to say only one thing the demand of aircrafts was very long due .what Congress government did in his ten years tenure by not buying aircrafts. Congress provided UPA government to do unfair and then they would started to shout Chaukidaar chor hai what foolish strategy. Rahul really i am feeling very shame where my country is going along with these politicians
Our country developed a lot during 70 years.
Let me not totally blame one party. During course of 70 years Janatha dal & Janatha Party also ruled.
Somehow Congress had come to a heady conclusion that it is entitled to everything be it parliament houseas playground of its kids or to every information which may be classified or as head of planning the planning commission etc etc and etc.
It has ruled the country in such a monotonous way that a whole culture of cronyism has flourished in such a way that all regional parties and thought processes are developed around it. Everyone just wants to have his hand in the cake without contributing to it. Policies Plans and Plans galore but nothing solid in in public sanities. All this has rendered itself senseless and rudderless. Public was absolutely fed up by living in the ways of political and administrative littany and comedy.
NaMo has just implemented those policies and Plans into solid action. We could at last see wheels turning under NaMo.
Regarding you presstitute, you too were building your career songs around Congi ways.
Now the real story starts, they want to find that are there any chances of corruption ? If they come to the power ?
The Congress delegation meeting with the French diplomats to assure them that the Rafale deal will go through was a waste of time for the French because it’s the Congress ‘ wishful thinking that they’ll grab power from the NDA.
Ps the model of the plane with which Rahul is playing shows his immaturity. For him it’s only a toy!
If only the Congress come to power. It is a day dream
still thinking t win after looting nation for 70 yrs.
Italian mafia family oh God save us
problem with contract ?? because they could not get a commission on the deal???
There is Congress history where no arms deal was done till commission didn’t set. Now first time, arms deal was completed without any middle man and commission that’s why Congress is crying.
Layman is unable to understand the fact of the deal and making noise in Congress campaign when Rahul repeats slogan on CHOKiDAR.
CongressUPA Undercover Pakistani Agent deshdrohi Gaddar Chor party doing all nuisance bcos they couldn’t get cut in the Deal, All along since 1947 they are getting cut from any deal with Jeep, Army Shoes anything and everything. Modi has to come again and n confiscate all Thagbandan movable n immovable property which can be distributed to Indian Public 15Lack each to fulfill Modiji election menifesto.
This is the height of hypocrisy on the part of the Khangress. They have bad-mouthed French Government, their President and Dassault in their enthusiasm to run down the deal and to allege wrong doings when there is none. Conciliatory noises now reflects on the character of the ‘ grand ‘ old party and it’s leadership.
Right from the day one the congress knows nothing wrong can be drawn from Raffale. They thought they would win by making noise. Now they realise no common is bothered on yelling at high pitch on Raffale, they settled with foreign country n assured they will not make any noise on this issue in return congress must have placed some demand. Otherwise why they should go to France. Let us see how many seat they in this election. They and Mamtha Ji cross their last election Tally viz:- 44 n 37 seats
In the last two years, confidence in the SC has been eroded and this is reflected in its issuance of bail on asking, no arrest order, deliberately delaying adjudication of cases – all involving Congress party top leaders. Some of them are court – accused, out on bail, yet SC did nothing (except giving off-the-cuff advices) to stop them and the crooks and criminals among the political parties, from contesting the elections. If EC failed to enforce this rule – it’s actually a diktat from SC – who will the common man look to for a free and honest election ?.
Scamgress & it’s bandwagon of liars will be buried in 2019 elections along with its band of unofficial media houses. After getting reelected modi should make it mandatory for all media houses to print only after having documentary evidence or else face crores of rupees of fines.
No more Congress! New deal new corruption. Congress is a corrupt party. It’s their dream Modi will lose.
I happened to see the movie Tashkent Files and was shocked to see the contents. The xongress, the govt that time, was instrumental in covering up whole matter as a heart attack though it was a murder. It is reported that after Shastris death the next Party on power was handed over billions of rupees to the lady ( guess who) and she did not even return the suitcases. Thereafter about 40 ministers were on payroll of KGB. All nation loving people shall watch this movie. Congress is a big traitor party and their leaders are sold out. Congress shall be completely destroyed.
This sickening party led by a moron must be eradicated and wiped out from the soil of India for ever. In their desparation to cling on to power Pappu and chamchas became most abusive as never before in the history of the party .They are corrupt to the core, anti national ,incompetent against security and self respect of the country. So they smell a rat in everything . The half wit became mad with Raffale without any substances. Modi is leading from front and would continue to do so at least for another 10-15 years till India becomes a most important world power . This election would be turning point for India .The demons must be defeated
People can’t be fooled all the time. Raising a non issue… sorry Congress not this time… party is down the list.
Congress is a glamourised syndicate of commission-devouring opportunists. With no substantiation of its serious allegations of wrongdoing in Rafale deal provided to the court or any agency, Congress and its proprietors should be tried for high treason.
They should also be investigated for slow progress on MMRCA deal and zero defence procurement in UPA’s 10 year misrule.
Blind Bhakts of BJP still do not want to admit that there has been a big anomaly in the deal. All news channels, expert comments from various platforms and SC set it for an open hearing. All are admitting, even BJP veterans are taking the case to SC. They are harping on useless and baseless talks like Modiji.
When the great beacon of investigative journalism, The Hindu, has to resort to shallow tactics of cropping out images just to build a malafide narrative, one can be assured that Modi has done no wrong.
Rafael aircraft deal contraversy raised by Congress party has become”गलेकी हड्डी, नही नीगलते बन रही है और ना ही उगलते बन रही है।”poor show they were never such desperate.
Pappu and his slaves are shameless. They will stoop to any level to mislead people to come to power. A big chunk of print and electronic media are his co-host. Let us see what happens in the end.
Congress coming to power. Height of imagination. Dont blabber. People know what your promises are. In every scheme there will be an hidden agenda based on their past records. Some of their senior members do not have rights to talk. If they have guts let them prove they are clean. Then they can talk about others cleanliness. Many are on bail & counting days to go to jail.
Exactly. Since the Congress leaders didn’t get their percentage they are bound to have problems with the way contract was signed.
Congress wants to cancel the deal and sign a new one which will give money yo them and middlemen. Meanwhile keeping indian air security vulnerable.
The cost of breaking the deal, new deal and the cuts in the new one will be bourne by the taxpayers of course.
Khangress and in power its long long distance dreamso forget khangress and lets concentrate for new Indua with Modiji
If the French “authorities” have actually met congress guys, then it reflects on their integrity.
BJP should cancell the order totally. These french guys are NOT trustworthy and adept in playing double game.
Buggers ACTUALLY want Congi n power do that they can ” make up” for the commission loss they incurred while negotiating with BJP.
India can buy aircrafts from other countries who are all willing to customise to Indian needs.
Russian aircrafts are 50% cheaper too.
Fact is congress failed miserably in showing credible evidence. Rahul wanted to use Rafale like Bofors which was used by BJP to come to power. Public apology tendered by RaGa for dragging SC is a blow for the party. People are feeling bored to hear the same old song again and again.
Don’t Dream of coming to power for another 10 years, Congress party is going to be Jobless.Th More RV OR RG speaks the more difficult for Congress party.
Congress Party coming to power are they day dreaming, they are going to be Jobless for minimum 10 year’s. Congress Party should think how to save there party. The more RV or RG. Speaks the more trouble for Congress.
INC leaders giving statements accusing govt without going into documents, CAG report, SC judgement text. They try to get mileage out of thin air. They are lazy to work it out systematically bringing out facts. Like blaming EVMs. They were benefited in recent elections. How?
The print web portal looks extremely desperate for Cong party and with its counterparts Ndtv, The wire, and the Malayalam commie news channels are playing all dirty tricks to make sure it’s readers get influenced by the article and vote against BJP.. Isn’t this journalistic ethics?
Saadee hua party is this dirty Cong .No issues just like a small kid,this immature adolescent dunce pappu playing the broken record on Rafael for which the SC has strongly reprimanded him.Who is this priyanka,none other than the wife of chor vadra.Wherever she fights from her deposits will get forfeited.That Cong is a sold out party the nation knows and hence NO CHANCE.
The print is no.1 chamcha to Rahul.
Another reduction in cost would be on account of bank guarantee not being provided and the entire benefit being passed on to the buyer.
HA HA HA