Surjewala citing the tape (the authenticity of it has not been verified by ABP News) alleged that the former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is holding the Modi Government to Ransom with Rafale Papers.
In a press conference, Surjewala released the audio clip of Vishwajit Rane, MLA and Health Minister of Goa, in conversation with another person, where the minister is heard saying that Parrikar told him he possesses all the critical information about Rafale. “He said it is in my bedroom..here only in the flat. Each and every document of Rafale is with me,” he said. He further explained in the tape: “Now whether he wanted somebody to go and inform them in Delhi..this I did not understand.”
However, there was no confirmation on whether it was the voice of Rane in the audio. The identity of the other person was also not ascertained.
Surjewala said in the conference, “In the audio clip, Vishwajit Rane claims that Manohar Parrikar is aware of the details of the Rafale Deal. The audio reveals that files are hidden in the bedroom of Parrikar. Why are those files being hidden?”
“These revelations on Rafale Scam are stated by none other than a BJP MLA”, he further said.
"Now the prime minister should answer. The country is demanding answers as to what secrets in the Rafale 'scam' are lying inside Manohar Parrikar's flat and bedroom," he claimed, asking why is the 'chowkidaar' fearing Parrikar.
“A Joint Parliamentary Committee is the only way forward to bring out all the facts of Rafale Scam”, said Surjewala.
Rane denies claims:
Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane denied claims made by the Congress party in the press conference and said that the audio tape is doctored. "Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication between cabinet and CM. Mr Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents", he was quoted as saying by ANI. He further said that he has asked Parrikar for a criminal investigation into this.
Never had such discussion: Parrikar
Denying the claims by Congress about him being in possession of Rafale papers, Goa CM Manohar Parrikar who resumed office after four months on Tuesday, said that Congress released a fabricated tape as he never had any such discussion with anyone.
"The audio clip released by the congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting", he said in a tweet.
In a parallel development, former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie and advocate Prashant Bhushan moved the Supreme Court, seeking review of its December 14 verdict dismissing all PILs alleging irregularities in the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from France. In their review plea, they alleged that the judgment "relied upon patently incorrect claims made by the government in an unsigned note given in a sealed cover" to the apex court. They have also sought that the plea be heard in an open court.
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