Rafale deal: Is it an ‘election tool’ of Congress?
There is not surprising that Congress has decided to make discrepancy in the Rafale Deal a tool for the coming Lok Sabha election. Rather, the way Rahul Gandhi himself had been raising this inflated deal for the last few months, it looks to be crystal clear that Congress is viewing it as its political interest. The reasons behind this could be the dark days Congress had seen in the Bofors deal.
Congress has alleged that a huge same is brewing in the Rafale deal and accused the Modi government of promoting the interests of PM’s crony capitalist friends while Reliance has total denied it.
On April 10, Prime Minister Modi visits France and announces the deal for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft in flyaway condition. This was done unilaterally without following the DPP, without any inter-governmental agreement and in the absence of India's Defence Minister. However, Mr Anil Ambani, owner of Reliance Defence Limited, was present in France during the Prime Minister's visit," alleged Mr Surjewala.
It is an admitted fact that in the past high-level corruption issue had become a centre of attraction in the political circles but it is difficult to say that the common man will see the Rafale deal charges by the Congress as corruption issue. Congress is free to make any issue a part of their election strategy but the party would be successful only if the government comes forward as defensive and avoid giving the reply to the raised questions.
On the other hand, the Modi government had been claiming to be the best deal of Rafale as there had been no better option but it is not ready to give any information on this account and make it public. The reason and logic given look to be genuine from the security point of view as the secrecy of the fighter plane could be known to the world powers. No doubt this explanation has its own importance but it is to be seen as to whether the common people agree to this or not?
There is also doubt that the people would agree to the voice of Congress about the corruption in Rafale deal because the Modi government has made its image zero tolerance for corruption in the government. Moreover, there had been not a single high-level corruption case on the surface but in the instant Rafale case, earlier Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman had herself said to make public the whole information but later on back out that it could not be possible due to secrecy issue.
Now when the Congress has decided to give air to this issue, the government has to do something diplomatically that it may not look that something is being concealed. It would be better to kill two birds with one shot, meaning thereby, Congress charges are proved wrong and Rafale deal secrecy is also maintained. It is also necessary for the Congress to keep some facts before the government or move to the court of law if really it has authentic proof of illegal deal.
Moreover, CAG is also looking into the Rafale deal and in the case during their scrutiny, the deal is genuine, the Congress’s election tool will have no legs to stand.
