Cong lashes out at Parrikar’s ‘flip-flops’ on Rafale deal

The Congress on Wednesday sharply criticised the Rafale deal, saying the purchase of aircraft from France was a “strange and mysterious approach” to a major national security issue.

The strangest part is the series of unanswered questions raised everyday by the Centre, particularly by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar himself, said the party.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said that in less than a month Parrikar has confused the public through his flip-flops on the issue at least on five occasions.

Citing various statements by the Defence Minister in the past on the Rafale deal, such as “Any Rafale purchases in future, over and above the 36 announced on Friday, would be through direct negotiations with France” and “I feel that some more Rafale jets may be required but need to figure out how we can acquire them”, Singhvi said such a stand is amazing. It appears that the statement now is that India will buy 36 jets in fly-away condition and no more, Singhvi said.

“Is it so or not, please clarify, Government of India,” he said, adding: “If this is so and it is supposed to promote Make in India, what happened to the emphasised, much repeated and hyped Make in India, Transfer of Technology (TOT) component of the deal? So, TOT is zero.”

Singhvi wondered if medium multi-role combat aircrafts (MMRCA) would ever get manufactured in India. The whole purpose was to domestically manufacture these via TOT, he pointed out.

“So, one, you get TOT in India, you generate employment, you manufacture here and the most important is that India becomes an exporting country. Entire MMRCA is perhaps scrapped — are you, therefore, going to be happy only with the light combat aircraft, which you call Tejas?” he asked.

The party demanded that the Prime Minister come clean on the issue, as the Air Force has demanded at least 45 squadrons comprising 20 aircraft each. “Today we have less than 27 squadrons comprising MIGs and Mirages. So, Mr Prime Minister and Defence Minister, are you saying that you are compromising national security with China?” he sought to know.

Singhvi further said the Rafale deal was started years ago because the UPA wanted to increase aircraft strength by 10-15 squadrons.

“As per the last statement of the Defence Minister, you don’t need it. How do you not need it when, according to your own calculations, your own Air Force has repeatedly talked of the need? It can only be at the cost of national security. So, if they will be manufactured, then these statements are false,” he added.

The Congress leader also said that while the Prime Minister talks of Make in India, the Defence Minister is cancelling 108 aircraft which were to be manufactured in India. “It is a kind of a cruel joke on the nation. We have most importantly received contradictory statements — no answers,” he said.