With the Bharatiya Janata Party getting stick over the Rafale fighter aircraft deal, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the opposition parties were trying to create an issue out of a non-issue even after former French President Francois Hollande had clarified about the deal.

“Opposition parties are finding it hard to criticise the (Narendra) Modi government and are therefore trying to create an issue out of a non-issue by spreading lies. Where is the controversy after the former French President clarified his statement,” Singh said after North Zone Inter-State Council meeting in Lucknow on Monday.

The controversy over Rafale deal took a new turn after Hollande was quoted by a French publication as saying that France was given ‘no choice’ on selection of Indian partner for French aerospace giant Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner in the deal.

The French government later clarified that it was in no way involved in selection of partner of Dassault. However, later Dassault said that it had shortlisted Reliance as Indian partner.

“There is nothing to hide on the Rafale deal and even the French government has clarified its position. With elections round the corner, the Congress is trying to whip up the issue just for political gains,” Singh said.

The Union minister said that the Modi government was ‘clear’ and ‘transparent’ on the Rafale issue but the opposition was levelling wild allegations sans any basis.

When asked about rising terrorism in Kashmir valley, Singh said that the situation would improve soon as the BJP regime was committed to ending terrorism.

“There is mutual co-ordination between Armed and para-military forces and they are giving a befitting reply to the infiltrators,” Singh said.

“I can say that Pakistan is behind these terrorist acts in Kashmir. They will not succeed in their nefarious designs,” he added.

When asked if India would initiate talks with Pakistan to resolve the vexed issue, the Union Home Minister said, “India is always positive for any talks with Pakistan. We want to resolve the Kashmir issue and to end terrorism there. Having said this, I would reiterate that we will not give an inch of land  to anyone.”