Dismissing the Congress’s allegations against the Modi Government over the Rafale deal, the BJP on Friday said that the Opposition party is making allegations in frustration and its allegations were proved wrong by Union Ministers and also the French Government.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the Congress never allowed defence production in India so that it could strike “deals” with foreign suppliers and is now levelling baseless allegations after the Modi Government has worked to start domestic production. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad have given point-by-point rebuttal to the Congress’ allegations, he said.
Trivedi also claimed that the BJP never levelled allegations against defence deals, saying it was members of Congress Government or foreign countries which first alleged corruption in cases like Bofors deal or AgustaWestland chopper purchase. Those levelling allegation should first hear defence experts and refrain from politicising such deals, he said.
“The BJP wants a ‘majboot’ (strong) Government under Modi while Opposition parties like Mayawati-led BSP want a ‘majboor’ (helpless) Government”, Trivedi said.
Taking a dig at Gandhi, he said the country saw his “entertainment” in Parliament, which was “full of action with childish behaviour in accordance with his political maturity”. People want a mature, talented and capable leader, he said.
The BJP leader also took potshots at the Congress over its attempt to build an alliance against the ruling bloc, saying its president Rahul Gandhi first claimed to be prime ministerial candidate and is now willing to support any candidate for the negative agenda of defeating Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What they (Opposition) are doing is “betrayal” to the country as their single point agenda is removing Modi. All Congress Prime Ministers were recognised as leaders only after they occupied the top post while the BJP gave Prime Ministers after the masses accepted them as their leaders, he claimed.
Asked about the BJP ally lok Janshakti Party escalating pressure on the Government over Dalit issues, he said the Government is sensitive to concerns of its allies and has been working to address them.