The Congress on Saturday has once again raised the demand to conduct a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the April 10, 2015, inter-governmental deal between India and France for off the shelf purchase of 36 Rafale jets.
Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala addressed the press to cite the decision of the French prosecution agency to probe the Rafale deal for “prima facie corruption” and said, “If the French prosecutors can investigate the deal along with the role of former French President Francois Hollande and incumbent French president Emmanuel Macron, why should we in India, where the deal originated, not have a JPC probe?”
Over the last two months, a French website Mediapart has exposed a number of financial crimes in the Rafale deal, following which a fresh judicial investigation was ordered in France.
“The emerging facts now call for a thorough JPC probe. We have always maintained that a JPC probe into the Rafale deal, and not a court hearing, will clear the air,” adds Surjewala.
“The scandalous exposé of the Rafale scam, involving massive corruption, treason and loss to the public exchequer, has finally been uncovered and laid bare. The Congress party and Shri Rahul Gandhi stand vindicated today,” he said.
Congress politician added that his party will also raise the matter in the upcoming monsoon session of parliament.
“It is a matter of national security and dignity. It is not a contest between the Congress and BJP. It is natural that the Union government will be asked critical questions.” he said.
