Rupesh Samant
Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Dec 18: Bharatiya Janata Party addressing a press conference as a part of its nationwide campaign against Congress on SC verdict on Rafale deal said that Congress’ misinformation on Rafale deal is impacting the credibility of the defence establishments of the country.
“It is very unfortunate that spreading this kind of information, indulging in this kind of irresponsible allegation mongering, unfortunately is impacting upon our defence establishment as well,” BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Sahastrabuddhe said.
“The defence establishment which was till recently led by unimpeachable leaders like current CM of Goa Manohar Parrikar,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Congress party, very-very irresponsibly is indulging in this allegation mongering. One can understand if there is a courage of conviction but we find that congress party is trying to build up some kind of courage out of confusion and concoction which is reprehensible and we all condemn these attempts because they are ultimately impacting upon the credibility of the defence establishment as well,” he added.
When asked whether Congress President Rahul Gandhi was acting anti-national, the BJP leader said he would not use that kind of terminology (anti-national) but “every act of commission and omission has its own impact on national life, national discourse and national narrative.”
“This impact of these irresponsible allegations which had no basis at all and it has been now established by the SC itself through its verdict. So naturally it amounts to some kind of irresponsibility and any irresponsible act impacts upon the interest of the nation,” Sahastrabhuddhe said.
Responding to a question on whether Rafale deal could be an issue for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the BJP leader said “if congress continues with its campaign through all kind of irresponsibility then God only should save their attempts of creating a negative narratives.”
He said that the Congress has not been accepting the verdict of the SC.
“The court has unambiguously given its verdict. They have said they found nothing illegal, nothing suspicious about decision in purchase of fighter plane Rafale is concerned and also nothing commercial about selection of partners,” he said.
He said Congress is indulging is making mountain out of a molehill. “Congress has been trying to spread misinform and misguide the people of the country,” Sahastrabuddhe said.
The BJP leader said that the demand for high-powered fighter planes existed for Air Force for last 20 years.
“Our neighbouring countries including Pakistan and china are well equipped with fighter planes. Therefore, (Indian) air force was asking for last 20 years high capacity fighter planes,” he said.
“Since 2008, the active process started in this regard initiated by former government. But unfortunately even five years later it did not attain the finalisation,” he added.