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Rafale: Def Min Nirmala Sitharaman’s reply, abrasive and evasive – like Jaitley’s

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Rafale

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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, replying to an acrimonious debate in Parliament on the Rafale jet deal today remained focused more on attacking the Congress than answering the questions raised by the opposition parties.

Sitharaman accused the Congress of scrapping an earlier deal when it was in power because it “didn’t get the money” and ignored social security in favour of its “treasury security” – allegations which lack even circumstantial evidence, compared to the more substantive material against the Narendra Modi government.

The minister also alleged that the Congress was shedding crocodile tears on HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) not getting the offset contract with Rafale-maker Dassault as the party did nothing to scale up the capacity of the state-run company.

“You stopped the deal, forgetting that the Air Force was suffering. You didn’t conclude the deal because it didn’t suit you. The deal didn’t get you money. They did not intend to buy the aircraft till something else was done. There is something different between defence deal and deal in defence,” Sitharaman said in her response to the three-day debate.

“We don’t do defence dealings. We deal in defence with national security as our priority,” she said.

The Congress alleges that the BJP-led government scrapped a deal for 126 aircraft negotiated by the previous UPA government to go for an overpriced deal for 36 aircraft only to help Anil Ambani, whose inexperienced defence company bagged an offset contract with Dassault.

Sitharaman said the assumption that the Rafale fighters were available off the shelf was “mistaken”, referring to the 126 aircraft deal. Eighteen of those jets were to be delivered in fly-away condition.

The minister accused the Congress of misleading the country by saying that the current government reduced 126 Rafale jets to 36. “The Congress was supposed to buy 18 in fly-away condition, the NDA raised that to 36,” she said.

She also emphasised that unlike the previous deal, which never materialised, the delivery of first Rafale aircraft will happen in September 2019 and the last aircraft of 36 jets will be delivered in 2022.

“By 2014, you couldn’t even get these 18 aircrafts. Why? There wasn’t a deal? Today you get up to say what sense of urgency? The Indian Air Force always advises government to buy two squadrons, which is 36 aircraft instead of 18, in case of emergency purchases,” the minister said.

Sitharaman reminded the opposition members while India added no fighter aircraft, its hostile neighbours kept increasing their air power.

“China added 400 aircraft between 2004-14 including 5th gen aircraft while Pakistan increased aircraft by doubling its F16s,” Sitharaman said.

She said even in the old agreement, the first Rafale batch was to be delivered after three years of signing the agreement while the Modi government in view of the urgency went for inter-governmental deal.

Refuting allegations that the NDA government neglected HAL, she said that the previous governments never signed any agreement with HAL either.

“They could not sign a deal with HAL but they are shedding crocodile tears today,” Sitharaman added.

Earlier, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said there would be a criminal investigation into the Rafale deal if his party comes to power in this year’s national elections. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was running away from the questions posed to him.

“If we come to power in 2019, there will be criminal investigation and people responsible will be punished,” he said.

The opposition has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the deal even though the Supreme Court recently gave a clean chit to the government.

 Questions unanswered:

The opposition has been asking why PM Modi scrapped the earlier deal for purchase of 126 Rafale aircraft, which was said to be almost done according to authoritative statements till days before Modi’s sudden announcement of a new deal in Paris.

It has also questioned the increase in price when the aircraft was to be delivered with the same configuration as that negotiated by the previous government.

The opposition also questioned why Anil Ambani’s Reliance was chosen over public sector HAL as offset partner for Rafale manufacturer Dassault and why the transfer of technology envisaged under the previous deal was foregone.

It also pointed out circumstances like Ambani forming the company just days before Modi announced the deal during his Paris visit, on which the industrialist had accompanied the PM.

The government in its replies in Parliament has also sidestepped allegations that it misled the Supreme Court.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Delhi CM Atishi accuses BJP’s Parvesh Verma of distributing cash to voters in Kejriwal’s constituency

Kejriwal also hinted that the BJP might declare Parvesh Verma as their chief ministerial candidate, questioning whether the people of Delhi would want such a leader.

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Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Wednesday accused BJP leader Parvesh Verma of handing out cash to women in New Delhi, the constituency represented by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

During a press conference, Atishi claimed that Rs 1,100 was distributed to women from slum areas at Verma’s residence in Windsor Place, with their voter ID details being recorded. She stated, “The BJP is distributing money and checking voter cards in the New Delhi assembly constituency, where Arvind Kejriwal is a candidate.

Today, Parvesh Verma was caught red-handed giving out money at his official residence, money he received as an MP. Women from various slums in the New Delhi area were called there and handed Rs 1,100 in an envelope,” ANI reported her as saying.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal had alleged that women voters in his constituency were being paid Rs 1,100 for their votes. “I have just returned from several areas in my New Delhi Vidhan Sabha constituency, and everywhere I went, people told me that these individuals are openly buying votes, paying Rs 1,100 for each vote. People said they would take the money but wouldn’t vote for them,” he posted on X.

Kejriwal also hinted that the BJP might declare Parvesh Verma as their chief ministerial candidate, questioning whether the people of Delhi would want such a leader.

In response to the accusations, Parvesh Verma stated that the money was distributed as part of a campaign by ‘Rashtriya Swabhiman’, an NGO founded by his late father, former Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma.

“I see the struggles faced by women that Arvind Kejriwal has ignored for 11 years. They have been suffering, so I decided to support them with Rs 1,100 per month. Unlike Arvind Kejriwal, I am not distributing liquor; I am glad to be able to help people,” he said.

Verma added that the Rashtriya Swabhiman has been actively involved in community support, including redevelopment efforts in villages affected by disasters. Elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly are scheduled for February next year.

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Latest Politics News

Yogi Adityanath says Congress insulting Ambedkar since Nehru days

Adityanath pointed to examples of Congress’ alleged negligence, including its initial hesitance to include Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly and the Drafting Committee, crediting Mahatma Gandhi for securing Ambedkar’s position.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday hit out at the Congress, accusing it of disrespecting B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, both during his life and after his death.

During a press conference held at his official residence at 5 Kalidas Marg, he also claimed that Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, opposed Ambedkar’s inclusion in the Constitution Drafting Committee.

Adityanath’s comments came in the wake of a controversy sparked by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha last week. Surrounded by ministers Swatantra Dev Singh and Asim Arun, the Chief Minister emphasised that the purpose of the press conference was to reveal what he called the unethical and unconstitutional actions of Congress and other opposition parties against Ambedkar.

“Dr. B.R. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in India’s freedom struggle, the formulation of the Constitution, and the foundational years of an independent India. Despite facing numerous societal challenges, he achieved the highest accolades in law, finance, and economics. His contributions to the nation are unmatched, and he is deeply revered by every Indian,” Adityanath stated.

He contrasted the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) respect for Ambedkar with the Congress party’s history of disrespect. Adityanath highlighted the BJP’s initiatives to honor Ambedkar’s legacy, including memorials in significant locations like Mhow, Nagpur, Mumbai, and London, where Ambedkar pursued his studies.

“Under BJP leadership, from Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s time to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, we have made every effort to uphold Ambedkar’s ideals. In stark contrast, the Congress has consistently insulted him and minimised his contributions,” he asserted.

Adityanath pointed to examples of Congress’ alleged negligence, including its initial hesitance to include Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly and the Drafting Committee, crediting Mahatma Gandhi for securing Ambedkar’s position.

He also recalled an incident during the UPA regime when a textbook depicted a derogatory cartoon of Ambedkar being prodded by Nehru, which was withdrawn only after widespread protests, leading to an apology from then HRD Minister Kapil Sibal.

The Chief Minister claimed that the Congress worked to defeat Ambedkar in elections, including the 1952 general elections for the Mumbai North constituency and the 1954 by-elections.

He alleged that even Nehru campaigned against Ambedkar to ensure his loss, asserting that the Congress consistently aimed to silence the voices of Dalits and marginalized communities.

Adityanath also criticised the Congress for not granting national honors to Ambedkar during his lifetime, stating, “It was only when a government supported by the BJP came to power that Ambedkar was finally awarded the Bharat Ratna.”

He further emphasised the BJP’s commitment to realizing Ambedkar’s vision through programs aimed at benefiting Dalits and marginalized groups, reiterating the party’s dedication to preserving Ambedkar’s legacy while accusing the Congress of ongoing disrespect and divisive politics.

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Government set to table One Nation, One Election bill in Lok Sabha on December 16

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Parliament Winter Session: Lok Sabha speaker warns opposition, No-Confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman

The stage is set for a major legislative push by the central government as two bills related to the ambitious “One Nation, One Election” initiative are scheduled for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday, December 16.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to present The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, marking a significant step towards implementing simultaneous Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly elections.

On Thursday, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its nod to the constitutional amendment bill that seeks to align elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This decision underscores the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment to its long-standing agenda of electoral synchronization, aimed at reducing the frequency of polls and associated costs.

The Cabinet also approved a supplementary bill to amend specific provisions related to three Union territories with legislative assemblies—Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir. This aligns their governance framework with the overarching constitutional amendments proposed under the “One Nation, One Election” initiative.

The constitutional amendment bill aims to streamline the electoral calendar by establishing a legal framework for conducting Lok Sabha and state assembly elections simultaneously. However, the government has, for now, opted to exclude local body polls, such as those for municipalities and panchayats, from this framework. A high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind had earlier suggested a phased approach to include local elections in the future.

The concept of “One Nation, One Election” has been a focal point in political discourse, with proponents arguing it will enhance governance by reducing electoral disruptions and fostering policy stability. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the logistical and constitutional challenges of synchronizing diverse electoral cycles across India’s federal structure.

This legislative development will undoubtedly dominate parliamentary discussions as political parties prepare to deliberate on the feasibility and implications of reshaping India’s electoral landscape.

The introduction of these bills is expected to spark robust debate, with the government emphasizing the potential benefits of reduced administrative burdens and streamlined governance, while opposition parties scrutinize its impact on India’s democratic fabric.

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