Congress takes dig at BJP govt over Rafale matter

Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the saffron party has the "habit of celebrating without going into the details" of the Supreme Court judgment on Rafale.

New Delhi: After the Supreme Court gave a clean chit to the Modi government for the second time on the purchase of 36 fully loaded Rafale fighter jets, Congress party criticised BJP saying that the party needs to "investigate not celebrate" after the SC's verdict.

Congress Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "BJP is in habit of celebrating without going into details of verdict. The Supreme Court order has paved the way for a probe into the Rafale deal. The verdict has opened a window for a detailed enquiry into the matter, it has said that 14 Dec 2018 or today's verdict is not an obstacle in way of the CBI from taking action in the case in future."

"As expected, the BJP government and its ministers are misleading the nation regarding the impact of the judgement. The Supreme Court has not given a 'clean chit' but has paved the way for a full investigation. The layers of corruption in the Rafale scam can be answered only through a fact-finding impartial Joint Parliamentary Committee's investigation," he added.

The apex court dismissed the pleas seeking review of the December 14, 2018 verdict in which it had said that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the procurement of 36 Rafael fighter jets.

Surjewala also said, "Rather than indulging in celebrations, BJP government should agree to a JPC investigation if it feels it is a 'corruption-free' government.