Says that with no PAC or CAG report, the ruling has succeeded in misleading the SC
the goan I network
PANAJI
Former Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap on Tuesday asked former Union Defence Minister and the current Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to shed some light on the Rafale deal, as he was the Defence Minister at the time the deal was made.
Stating that in February 2014, it was Parrikar himself who had said that the Russian aircraft manufacturer the JSC Sukhoi Company would be a better bet than the French Dassault aircrafts, Khalap asked Parrikar to explain why the government had gone ahead with the Rafale jets deal, though Sukhoi was cheaper.
“We have Delhi, Paris and Goa, a triangle which holds the answer to the mystery,” Khalap told media persons at a press conference at the Congress headquarters, while reiterating the Congress’ stand that the only solution to unraveling the mystery was to go in for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) which would further investigate
the deal.
“The ruling party must agree to the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and the referral of Rafale to that committee,” said Khalap, who insisted that the entire issue was still suspect.
“There’s no PAC report, no CAG report, the ruling side have succeeded in misleading the SC,” he said while also saying that a mere debate of the issue in Parliament would lead nowhere.
Flaws in Rafale deal according to the Oppn
The government was to buy 126 aircrafts with an option to buy 63 more, but they settled on 36
108 of these were to be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with Dassault giving a warranty. Why has HAL been sidelined and a new partner chosen? Why didn’t the government press for the existing facility: HAL?
What transpired between Narendra Modi, Dassault and the Ambanis?
Arun Jaitley is on record saying that the cost of this aircraft is less by about 7-20%. If so, then why did India go in for only 36?
The Prime Minister said that the government needs to strengthen its defences and that the strength of aircrafts is low. If that is so, why not 180+63 aircrafts?
...Advises alliance partners to get out of government at the earliest
PANAJI: Former Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap on Tuesday gave unsolicited advice to the alliance partners of the BJP-led government, specifically the MGP to get out of the government at the earliest.
“BJP robbed two MLAs from Congress resorting to unfair practices. Why do you want to continue with such a partner? MGPs credibility is at stake. Get out at the earliest,” Khalap said.
Khalap also referred to the CM’s health, saying that the CM required the moral support of not just his family, but party-people and Goans.
“He needs to recuperate. If they feel that by this act (CM inspecting third Mandovi bridge) they can earn the sympathy of the people, they’re badly mistaken,” said Khalap.
To Parrikar, he asked, “Why do you want to stick to power? Do you really feel there’s no capable person outside the present set up to lead the government?” adding, “You can still guide your successor and oversee the work going on.”
