Rafale deal: PM Modi compromised national security, say ex-BJP ministers


New Delhi, Sep 12(DC): Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie along with advocate-activist Prashant Bhushan on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating the Defence Procurement Procedures (DPP) while finalising the high-profile Rafale deal.

Alleging Prime Narendra Modi's "personal culpability" in the Rafale jet purchases, the trio asserted that the former bypassed every rule of defence procurement and "compromised national security".

"National security has been compromised by the Prime Minister and every rule of the defence procurement was flouted to unilaterally reduce the number of planes from 126 to 36. As per DPP, only the service headquarters can decide on the numbers," said Shourie, while addressing a press conference here.

Shourie said that in just two days Prime Minister Modi "completely overturned" a process that was in progress for years, while adding that the latter had "absolutely no authority to do so."

He further alleged that the Central government had "spun a web of lies to protect Prime Minister's culpability in the connection".

Echoing similar sentiments, Bhushan further underscored that the government is also forcing the serving officials of the Indian Air Force to defend the purchase of Rafale fighter jets.

The leaders even questioned the decision of choosing Reliance Defence Ltd, which has "no experience" in manufacturing aircraft over Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Initially in 2012, during the United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) tenure, India planned to buy 18 off-the-shelf jets from France, with 108 others to be assembled in the country by the state-run aerospace and defence company HAL.

The BJP-led government scrapped the UPA's plan in 2015 and announced that it would buy 36 "ready-to-fly" Rafale jets instead of seeking a technology transfer from France's Dassault Aviation and making the aircraft in India.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Mark Dcruz, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    Modi in compromised position now.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishal, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    Two very prominent ex-ministers have cast aspersions on this deal. One of them happens to be a former Finance Minister and for sure, he will know what he is talking about.

    Mr. Yashwant Sinha is a well qualified person and as far as I know, he doesn't indulge in loose talk. His claim, therefore, cannot be taken lightly. What is preventing the government from coming clean on this matter?

    Is Modi shielding Anil Ambani or is he trying to conceal something?

    There is no point in bragging that this government has not indulged in any wrongdoing. While we really hope that Modi has not compromised on national security by favouring Reliance, we can't lose sight of the fact that there is no smoke without fire.

    There are fingers being raised at Modi's integrity. In his own interest, therefore, it would be better if he opens his mouth and tells the country what has happened. Of course, we expect him to tell the truth.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    corrupt governance of rss man. india is ruined. no defence. 1ny offence.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • praveen, mangalore

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    When will the Bhakths WakeUp

    DisAgree [2] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    Make in Hindustan...!!!!! Good governance....!!!!, employment....!!!! Growth....!!!! Strong economy....!!! .... etc., etc.,are all just to fool people...,

    One can fool all the people for some time, some people all the time (this category called blind bhakt's), but not all the people all the time....,

    There is an iota of truth in these Learned two ex-Mp's of BJP....,
    Hindu's are started to realise the value of EDUCATION.....!!!

    jh
    jai hind..,

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    So happy you're so far away!

    DisAgree [2] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan Serrao, Paladka

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    Its time Modi need a special jet from Rafale to fly back to Gujarat form Delhi in 2019 along with his Gujju Paltan

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    Modi is innocent because he was only helping a Bankrupt Friend ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • anthony, Mangalore

    Wed, Sep 12 2018

    The longer the BJP and the Govt keeps mum on this issue, the more damage it will suffer. The Country has every right to know the full details as Ex Ministers have accused the PM himself of compromising National Security.

    DisAgree Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Rafale deal: PM Modi compromised national security, say ex-BJP ministers



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