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Rafale deal: Cong accuses PM Modi of misusing office, causing loss to exchequer, demands FIR

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7 years ago

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Rafale deal

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The Congress today (Wednesday, March 6) accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing his office in Rafale deal negotiations to benefit Dassault Aviation and said that a case under the prevention of corruption law is made out against him.

The party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters that the Indian Negotiating Team (INT) to finalise the purchase of the fighter aircraft was sidelined and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval finalised the negotiation at the behest of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The government has rejected the Congress’s charge of corruption in the deal and the ruling BJP has been accusing it of spreading lies to target it.

Surjewala claimed the government bought the fighter aircraft at a much higher rate than what was negotiated by the UPA and also waived bank guarantee.

The Congress allegations came after a report in The Hindu cited documents to say that no bank guarantees in the Rafale deal negotiated by the Modi government made it more expensive.

The government’s claim of buying the 36 aircraft at Rs 59,000 crore is wrong and the INT has put the figure at Rs 64,000 crore, Surjewala claimed, accusing the government of misleading Parliament.

The statement put out by the Congress said the price of 36 Rafale aircraft in the deal finalised by Modi government is far more than the deal for 126 Rafale aircraft that was being negotiated under Congress-UPA Govt.

Alleging that PM Modi misled the Parliament, the statement said the price of 36 Rafale aircraft is €8460 Million (₹63,450  Cr  |  1€=₹75) by Indian Negotiating Team’s (INT) own admission and not €7890 Million (₹59,175 Cr), as claimed by the Modi government, the Congress said.

Further, said the Opposition party, the price of even €8460 Million (₹63,450 Cr) is not the final price of 36 Rafales as it merely takes into account an annual escalation rate (inflation rate) of 1.22% for a period of 5.75 years to arrive at this figure. If the rate climbs higher, India will have to pay even more, the Congress alleged.

The Congress said the Modi government also “deliberately” concealed “the fact that 36 Rafale  aircrafts (sic) would be delivered in 10 years, as per INT and not 5.75 years…”

The Congress said PM Modi did away with ‘Bank Guarantee’ condition to cause a loss to the exchequer.

Moreover, said the Congress, “Neither was the cost of ‘India Specific Enhancements’ included, nor was the cost of ‘Transfer of Technology’ added.”

The Congress said PM  Modi did  away  with the condition  of ‘Bank Guarantee’ to  benefit Dassault  Aviation,  despite  the  written  opposition  of the  Law  Ministry, the Finance Ministry and the Defence Ministry. The UPA deal for 126 Aircrafts UPA deal included a ‘Bank Guarantee’ of  €574 Million (₹4305 Cr), but this is missing in the 36 aircraft’s deal. Even the CAG Report admitted that this €574 Million (₹4305 Cr) was a direct benefit to Dassault Aviation.

Coming to the cost of ‘India Specific Enhancements’ worth €1,300 Million (₹9750  Cr), the Congress said this was also not added to the price of 36  aircraft.

In the 126 Rafale aircraft being purchased by Congress-UPA Govt, cost of ‘India Specific Enhancements’ was €11.11 Million (₹83.32  Cr) per  aircraft, Surjewala said. “Shockingly,  despite  the  same  specifications,  cost  of ‘India  Specific  Enhancements’ in  the  36 Rafale aircrafts purchased by Modi Govt went up by 350%  i.e €36.11 (₹270.8Cr) per aircraft,” he said.

Contending that the most expensive component of every defence deal is ‘Transfer of Technology’, Surjewala said that this was missing during the 36 Rafale aircraft purchase. “How can the price of 36 Rafale aircrafts be then higher?” Surjewala asked.

The Congress said that PM Modi held “direct negotiations” to buy the 36 Rafale aircraft, bypassing the INT. It said that the  final  negotiations  were  held  in  France by NSA Ajit Doval on 12th and  13th January,  2016  and  the  final  agreement  was  consequently  signed  on  13th January, 2016.

Alleging that “it is undoubtedly established that Shri Modi misused his office as Prime Minister to  grant undue benefit to Dassault Aviation and caused a loss to public exchequer”, the Congress said this was “a clear cut case”  under the Prevention  of  Corruption  Act and different provisions of Indian  Penal Code.

“Time  has  now  come  to  register  an  FIR  against  PM  Modi and every other individual so that a time-bound investigation takes place in this entire sage of Rafale Corruption reaching the highest echelons of power,” said Surjewala.

Statement Issued by Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala, In-Charge, Communications, AICC

Blatant Loot of Public Money in the Rafale Scam exposed!

Responsibility lies at the door steps of PM Modi. Case should be registered under Prevention of Corruption Act

The report of the Indian Negotiation Team (INT) is now in public domain. It is now crystal clear that the Prime  Minister,  Shri  Narendra  Modi misled the  Parliament  and duped  the  country  to  cover  up the murky  dealings and  blatant corruption, besides, squandering away National Security interests. This conspiracy has now been uncovered.

  1. Price of 36 Rafale Aircrafts is far more than 126 Rafale aircrafts under Congress-UPA Govt. PM Modi misled the Parliament and his Govt looted the nation’s treasury.

Price of 36 Rafale Aircrafts is €8460 Million (₹63,450  Cr  |  1€=₹75) by INT’s own admission and not €7890 Million (₹59,175 Cr), as is being claimed by a fraudulent Modi Government.

There is another dimension to the brazen loot – even €8460 Million (₹63,450 Cr) is not the final price of 36 Rafales as it merely takes into account an annual escalation rate (inflation rate) of1.22% for a period of 5.75 years to arrive at this figure.

However, Modi Govt has surreptitiously hidden the fact that if the escalation rate (inflation rate) in France climbs upto 3.5%, then the Indian Government will be forced to pay  3.5%  more price annually.

The fact  that  36  Rafale  aircrafts  would  be delivered  in  10 years,  as  per INT and not 5.75 years was also deliberately hidden. Even if inflation rate of 1.22% is considered for 10 years, still by then, the price will cross €9,000 Million(₹67,500 Cr).

  1. PM Modi did away with ‘Bank Guarantee’ condition to cause a loss to the exchequer. Neither was the cost of ‘India Specific Enhancements’ included, nor was the cost of ‘Transfer of Technology’ added.
  2. 126 Aircrafts UPA deal included a ‘Bank Guarantee’of €574 Million(₹4305 Cr). Same is missing in the 36 aircraft’s deal. Even the CAG Report admitted that this €574 Million(₹4305 Cr) was a direct benefit to Dassault Aviation. In the Cabinet Committee on  Security,  PM  Modi did  away  with the condition  of ‘Bank Guarantee’ to  benefit Dassault  Aviation,  despite  the  written  opposition  of the  Law  Ministry, the Finance Ministry and the Defence Ministry.
  3. Cost of ‘India Specific Enhancements’ worth €1,300 Million. (₹9750 Cr)  was  not  added  to  the price  of  36  aircrafts. Let  it  be  noted  that  in  the  126  Rafale  aircrafts  being  purchased  by  Congress-UPA  Govt,  cost  of ‘India  Specific  Enhancements’ was €11.11 Million (₹83.32  Cr) per  aircraft.

Shockingly,  despite  the  same  specifications,  cost  of ‘India  Specific  Enhancements’ in  the  36 Rafale aircrafts purchased by Modi Govt went up by 350%  i.e €36.11 (₹270.8Cr) per aircraft.

III. ‘Transfer of Technology’ is the most expensive component of every defence deal.  The INT noted that ‘Transfer of Technology’ formed part of price of 126 aircrafts during UPA-Congress purchase and the same was missing during the 36 Rafale aircraft purchase. How can the price of 36 Rafale aircrafts be then higher?

This  means  the  country willpay €10,300 Million for  36  Rafale  aircrafts  under  PM  Modi’s  deal. (₹77,250 Cr) [€9000 Million + €1300 Million]

  1. Bypassing the INT, PM Modi held ‘direct negotiations’ to buy 36 Rafale aircrafts. Proceedings of INT  now  establish  that  the  final  negotiations  were  held  in  France  by  NSA, Shri Ajit Doval  on  12th  and  13th January,  2016  and  the  final  agreement  was  consequently  signed  on  13th January, 2016. This conclusively nails Modi Govt’s white lie!

Responsibility for negotiating the 36 Rafale Aircrafts purchase was that of the ‘Indian Negotiating Team’ (INT)  constituted  by  Ministry  of  Defence  on  12th  May,  2015. But  PM  Modi  was  indulging  in ‘direct negotiation’ with the French, which weakened the credibility of the INT.

Firstly,  PMO  was  holding ‘parallel negotiations’ bypassing the INT, as recorded by none less than the Defence Secretary, Government of India on file on 24.11.2015.But Paragraph 11 of the file notings of the INT clearly states that NSA, Shri Ajit Doval was holding ‘final negotiations’ (on behalf of PM Modi) on 12th& 13th January, 2016 in Paris, France, on the basis of which a decision to purchase 36 Rafale jets was finally sealed on 13thJanuary 2016.

Shri  Doval  was  not part  of  the  Indian Negotiation Team  (INT) and  was  not  even authorized by  the Cabinet Committee on Security  for  the  same. Simple  question  is,  how  is  it  the  domain  of  NSA  to negotiate  and  finalise  a Fighter  Aircrafts  purchase  deal?  Obviously,  the  PMO and  the  NSA  were doing so under direct instructions of PM, Shri Narendra Modi.

It  is  now  crystal  clear  that  blatant  and  massive  corruption  has  taken  place in  the  Rafale  deal. It is undoubtedly established that Shri Modi misused his office as  Prime Minister to  grant undue benefit to Dassault Aviation and caused a loss to public exchequer. This  is  a  clear cut case  under Section  13  (1)  (d)  of  the Prevention  of  Corruption  Act,  1988  and different  provisions  of Indian  Penal  Code. Time  has  now  come  to  register  an  FIR  against  PM  Modi and every other individual so that a time-bound investigation takes place in this entire sage of Rafale Corruption reaching the highest echelons of power.

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Cried over Gaza, not a word on Bangladesh: Yogi Adityanath attacks opposition in UP Assembly

Yogi Adityanath criticised the opposition in the UP Assembly, accusing them of selective outrage over Gaza while remaining silent on violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

Published

2 days ago

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December 25, 2025

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Yogi Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition during proceedings in the State Assembly, accusing rival parties of indulging in selective outrage and appeasement politics while remaining silent on incidents involving Hindus in neighbouring countries, particularly Bangladesh.

Referring to recent incidents across the border, the Chief Minister said the Opposition raises its voice on international issues selectively but avoids speaking out when minorities, especially Hindus, are targeted in nearby nations.

“You shed tears over developments in Gaza, but not a single word comes out when a Dalit youth is killed in Bangladesh,” Adityanath said in the Assembly, alleging that such silence exposes the Opposition’s political priorities.

The Chief Minister further claimed that incidents of violence against Hindus would not have occurred had Pakistan and Bangladesh not been created, reiterating that issues are often viewed through the prism of vote bank politics. He said candle marches are organised for global events, but killings of Hindus in Pakistan or Bangladesh do not evoke similar responses.

Adityanath also called for a condemnation resolution in the Assembly, stating that it should ideally come from the Leader of the Opposition. He said such a resolution should clearly condemn the killing and convey a warning to the Bangladesh government.

Allegations over illegal immigration

Targeting the Opposition on the issue of illegal immigration, the Chief Minister alleged that they support Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas. He claimed that when authorities take action to expel illegal immigrants, Opposition leaders come out in their defence, alleging that many of them have been facilitated with voter registrations and Aadhaar cards.

Meanwhile, tensions between India and Bangladesh have been visible following recent developments. India summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner for the second time in a week amid concerns arising from incidents in the neighbouring country.

The summons came in the backdrop of protests in Bangladesh following the killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi and the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in separate incidents. Dipu Das, a 27-year-old youth from Mymensingh district, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy on December 18, and his body was later set on fire, triggering widespread outrage.

The Interim Government of Bangladesh condemned the incident. Education Adviser C R Abrar visited the bereaved family on behalf of the government, expressed condolences, and assured them of financial and welfare assistance. The Office of the Chief Adviser also reiterated its resolve to protect all citizens and ensure justice in the case.

The killing has once again raised concerns at the international level over the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, with minority groups demanding strict action against those responsible.

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Jammu and Kashmir High Court rejects Mehbooba Mufti’s plea on undertrial prisoners, calls it politically motivated

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has rejected Mehbooba Mufti’s PIL on undertrial prisoners, stating it was politically motivated and lacked factual basis.

Published

2 days ago

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December 24, 2025

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Mehbooba mufti

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti seeking the transfer of undertrial prisoners lodged in jails outside the Union Territory back to prisons within Jammu and Kashmir. The court termed the petition politically motivated, vague and unsupported by facts, observing that it was an attempt to derive political mileage rather than address a genuine public cause.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal made it clear that public interest litigation cannot be used as a tool to advance political agendas or convert courts into platforms for electoral positioning.

Court says PIL cannot become a political platform

In its observations, the High Court said the plea appeared aimed at projecting the petitioner as a champion of justice for a specific section, rather than raising substantiated legal concerns. The bench underlined that while political parties are free to engage with voters through democratic means, the judiciary must remain insulated from political campaigns.

The court reiterated that PIL jurisdiction is meant to safeguard public interest and not to be misused for electoral gain or political leverage. It cautioned against attempts to draw the judiciary into political narratives.

Undertrials have legal remedies, says court

In the 15-page order passed on Tuesday, the High Court noted that the undertrial prisoners mentioned in the petition are already facing trial before competent courts. According to the bench, adequate judicial remedies are available to such undertrials to raise grievances related to their detention or place of incarceration.

The court further observed that the failure of the concerned undertrials to approach courts on their own indicated that they may not be genuinely aggrieved by their confinement in prisons outside the Union Territory.

No locus standi, petition dismissed

Dismissing the plea, the High Court held that Mehbooba Mufti was a third-party stranger to the cause and therefore lacked the locus standi to invoke the court’s jurisdiction in this matter. The petition was described as misconceived and was rejected accordingly.

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BJP raises seat offer to Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena to nearly 90 ahead of Mumbai civic polls, talks continue

The BJP has raised its seat offer to Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena to nearly 90 for the upcoming BMC elections, but fresh talks are needed as differences persist within the Mahayuti.

Published

3 days ago

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December 23, 2025

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With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections drawing closer, the seat-sharing tussle within the Mahayuti alliance continues, with the BJP increasing its offer to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena but failing to reach the party’s expectations.

According to sources, the BJP has now proposed close to 90 seats for the Shinde faction in the upcoming Mumbai civic polls. This is a significant jump from its earlier offer of 52 seats but still falls short of what Shinde is seeking. The Shiv Sena leader has reportedly reduced his demand from an initial 125 seats to 112, yet remains dissatisfied with the latest formula.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is expected to hold another round of discussions with Shinde to break the deadlock. Sources indicate that the BJP is unlikely to stretch its offer much further, especially after its strong showing in recent statewide local body elections.

BJP firm after strong local poll performance

The BJP has emerged as the single largest party in the recent local polls, securing 117 municipal president posts. In comparison, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena won 53 posts, while Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP secured 37. These results have strengthened the BJP’s negotiating position ahead of the BMC elections.

However, the current seat-sharing calculations could change if Ajit Pawar decides to contest the Mumbai civic polls as part of the alliance. Senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare confirmed that no final decision has been taken yet, noting that discussions with alliance partners are ongoing.

Nawab Malik factor complicates alliance talks

A major point of contention within the Mahayuti is the issue of senior NCP leader Nawab Malik, who is facing multiple corruption cases, including a money laundering case linked to underworld activities. While the alliance has made it clear that Malik is unacceptable as part of its Mumbai setup, Ajit Pawar is reportedly firm on backing him.

Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam has publicly stated that the party would not align with any group that includes Malik. Sources added that if the NCP joins the alliance in Mumbai, it may be asked to project a different leader and contest a limited number of seats.

BMC elections timeline

The countdown to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections has already begun, with less than a month left for polling. Voting is scheduled for January 15, with counting set to take place the following day. A total of 2,869 municipal seats will be contested, including 227 seats in the BMC.

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