Rafale Deal: Congress Adamant On JPC Investigation, CM Baghel Asks 'Why Is Modi Government Hesitant?'

The Congress is quite adamant about the JPC probe into the Rafale deal. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel questioned the Modi government as to why it is hesitant to constitute the JPC. 

(File Photo/ Getty Images)

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has questioned the central government's silence on alleged corruption in the Rafale deal. Baghel said if there has been no irregularity in the purchase of fighter jets then why is the government hesitant to form a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to look into it.

"The Rafale deal has become an international issue and the governments of France and other countries are taking action on it," Baghel told reporters in the capital Raipur on Wednesday.

Baghel further said, "Rahul ji has been constantly raising the issue of Rafale. He had raised the issue of the Rafale deal case prominently just before the last Lok Sabha elections. Today it has become an international issue. In France or other countries, the government is undertaking action regarding it. There are reports in the media about it, but what is the reason behind the silence of Government of India.''

The Chief Minister said that today the money of the hardworking people is going into brokerage and if there is any discrepancy in the procurement of Rafale, the Prime Minister should answer the people. Rahulji had said that a Joint Parliamentary Committee should be constituted and if there is no foul play why is the government hesitant to set up a JPC?

What is the claim made by the French portal's?

The case surfaced once again on Tuesday amidst allegations over Rafale aircrafts deal in the country when a French portal claimed in its report that alleged fake receipts have been used by Rafale maker Dassault to bribe middlemen of at least 75 lakh euros. The Congress had on Tuesday hit out at the Narendra Modi government over the news reported by the French news portal in connection with the Rafale aircraft deal and alleged that there was a nexus between the Central government and the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to cover up the "scam".