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Highlights: PM Modi must clarify if Hollande’s remark on Rafale true or false, says…

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday attacked the government a day after France president Francois Hollande’s reported remarks on Rafale deal.

On Friday, former French president Hollande was quoted by French website ‘Mediapart’ as saying that the Indian government proposed the name of Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group as French company Dassault Aviation’s offset partner, fuelling a firestorm surrounding the multi-billion dollar Rafale deal.

Here are the Live updates:

5:35pm IST

Rahul Gandhi playing into hands of India’s enemies: RS Prasad

“He is asking for the price of the Rafale jet, so that our enemies are alerted. He wants to help Pakistan. It’s my charge with full sense of responsibility, Rahul Gandhi is playing into the hands of the enemies of India by insisting upon disclosure of all weapon system,” says Ravi Shankar Prasad.

5:24pm IST

France issued clarification against Rahul’s claims in Parliament: RS Prasad

“Government of France issued clarification against Rahul Gandhi’s claims in Parliament about his conversation with French President. Rahul Gandhi said Manmohan Singh was also present there. Can Manmohan Singh confirm if Mr. Gandhi said in Parliament was correct?” asks Ravi Shankar Prasad.

5:25pm IST

French govt has stated choice of partner was Dassault’s alone: RS Prasad

“Government of France has publicly stated that the choice of the partner was Dassault’s alone. The French reporter spoke of some conflict of interest, that is not our concern,” says Ravi Shankar Prasad.

“I will ask Rahul Gandhi to stop playing with the country’s security,” he says.

5:19pm IST

Ravi Shankar Prasad on price of Rafale jets

“On the price of Rafale jets, it will not be desirable or appropriate for me to disclose this. I can say the price of the aircraft minus the weapon is 9% less than the price negotiated by UPA. The price of the aircraft with all weapon systems is 20% less than the price negotiated by UPA,” says Ravi Shankar Prasad.

5:16pm IST

Dassault and Reliance signed pact before BJP came to power: RS Prasad

“Report of Dassault and Reliance signing a pact came on Feb 13, 2012, one year four months before we (BJP) came to power,” says Ravi Shankar Prasad.

There was pressure for extraneous considerations for not finalising Rafale deal during UPA rule, alleges Ravi Shankar Prasad.

5:12pm IST

Never before has a party president used such words for a PM: RS Prasad

Never before in history of independent India, has a party president used such words for a PM. We can’t expect anything else from Rahul Gandhi. He has no quality or ability, he’s there due to his family: Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Rahul Gandhi’s statement ‘…desh ka chowkidaar chor hai’.

4:10pm IST

PM must clarify: Rahul Gandhi

“We are absolutely convinced that the prime minister is corrupt… He must clarify,” Rahul Gandhi said.

“It is very important for the prime minister now to either accept Mr. Hollande’s statement or state that Mr. Hollande is lying and tell what the truth is,” PTI quoted the Congress president as saying.

3:55pm IST

There should be a joint parliamentary committee probe: Rahul

Rahul Gandhi says, “It is clear why various defence ministers of this government have been lying; they want to protect PM Modi.”

“There should be a joint parliamentary committee probe, former French president Hollande can also be called,” Rahul Gandhi says.

3:45pm IST

Why is PM silent, asks Rahul Gandhi

PM Narendra Modi must clear his stand on Rafale deal after ex-French President Francois Hollande’s remarks: Rahul Gandhi

Why is PM silent, it is a matter related to defence forces, it is a matter related to corruption, he says.

3:20pm IST

PM should clarify: Rahul

For the first time, an ex- French President is calling our PM a thief…

The ex-president of France has made a statement about the PM of India. He says with regard to Rafale contract, ‘we didn’t have any say in this matter. It’s the Indian govt that proposed’. Now, the Prime Minister should clarify on his statement: Rahul Gandhi.

Source: HindustanTimes