New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the Rafale issue is going to affect BJP in the Lok Sabha elections 2019, but only in a positive way.

While speaking at ABP News’ flagship summit Shikhar Sammelan, Sitharaman stressed that Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s way of handling the Rafale row will only yield electoral benefits BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi tendered unconditional apology in the Supreme Court for wrongfully attributing to the apex court the 'chowkidar chor hai' remark in the Rafale verdict.

On being asked for a response, Sitharaman said, a mission of baseless campaigns and false allegations was being sped up by Rahul Gandhi on Rafale issue, but he faltered bad when he wrongfully attributed his personal remarks “chowkidar chor hai” to the top court.

“It is like riding the tiger. He got on the tiger and doesn’t know how to get off,” said Sitharaman.

Sitharaman said that the effect of Rafale row will be in favour of PM Modi, because now people also know that PM Modi is not a man who commits financial impropriety for his personal or familial benefits.

“Till date, Rahul Gandhi has not shown any evidence or paper to support his allegations. When he realized that the Rafale matter has nothing substantial in it, instead of backtracking he went on and on. This has led to a question on his credibility,” she added.

“Rafale controvery will effect BJP in this election, but in positive way. The way Rahul Gandhi handled Rafale row, will result in favour of PM Modi. Thank You Rahul Gandhi,” she said.

Nothing wrong in discussing Bofors: Sitharaman

When asked about PM Modi’s remark against former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sitharaman said while citing Shah Bano case and 1984 riots, ‘why cannot one talk about the events during a former prime minister’s tenure’. She said the court never gave clean chit to Rajiv Gandhi in the above cases.

Nirmala Sitharaman on Mamata Banerjee:

On being asked about the bitter war of words between PM Modi and Mamata Banerjee, Sitharaman said: “Mamata Didi is losing political ground, which has left her frustrated. She is breaching the decency of language. PM Modi called her speed-breaker because she is stopping the flow of developmental schemes. In the face of disaster also she refused to talk to the Prime Minister.”