Narendra Modi Government Shunted Rafale Whistle-Blower, Betrayed Nation: Congress

New Delhi: Mounting a fresh attack over the Rafale deal, the Congress on Thursday alleged that the Modi government had shunted a senior official who had raised concerns over pricing and rewarded another official who had overruled him, saying there were “perks” for “pleasing” the government to cover its “corruption tracks.” The party also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “betraying” the nation over the deal to purchase 36 fighter jets from France.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi led the attack saying in a tweet that the government official who wanted to prevent “theft” was “fixed by the leader of thugs”. Party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said the government had shunted a whistle-blower who raised issues concerning the price and paying “300 percent more” in the deal.

“The Modi government shunted the whistle-blower Joint Secretary (Air) who questioned the loss to government treasury by paying 300 percent extra for 36 Rafale. “Director-General Smita Nagaraj, who overruled the joint secretary, was made a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Perks of pleasing Modi government cover corruption tracks,” Surjewala said attaching an Indian Express report along with his tweet. (IANS)