Rafale Deal Is "Father Of Bofors", Says Shiv Sena Lawmaker Sanjay Raut

Agencies
October 1, 2018

Mumbai, Oct 1: Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday described the  controversial Rafale deal as the "father of Bofors" and said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's importance in the country's politics had increased after repeatedly speaking against the deal.

In an article in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', Mr Raut said those who accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's relatives of receiving kickbacks worth Rs. 65 crore in the Bofors deal are in power now. "Today, they are accused of pocketing Rs. 700 crore in the Rafale jet deal. Rafale is the father of Bofors."

Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party over Francois Hollande's reported claims on the deal, the Sena MP wondered if the former French president would be dubbed a supporter the Congress president or an "anti-national".

On September 21, a French media report quoted Mr Hollande as purportedly saying the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Rafale maker Dassault Aviation in the Rs. 58,000-crore deal and France did not have a choice.

"The question is not that Anil Ambani was given the contract for the fighter jets, but, as against the price of Rs. 527 crore for each jet, the deal was done at Rs. 1,570 crore during (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi government's tenure. This means middlemen got a commission of about  Rs. 1,000 crore per jet," the Sena leader said.

Mr Raut termed it laughable the BJP's allegations that Mr Gandhi's criticism of the deal was akin to "speaking in the words of Pakistan and helping" the neighbouring country. "The same allegations were levelled against the Congress during the Bofors deal (in late 1980s). Was it then not helping Pakistan? Those in power term Bofors a scandal... However, they are not ready to believe Rafale is also a scam."

"In the country, only Rahul Gandhi was speaking against the Rafale deal, while all other political parties kept mum. Thus, Rahul is now getting more importance in the politics of the nation," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

Mr Raut was apprehensive that the government would try to bring curtains down on the controversy by shifting the public's attention to issues like Ram temple and Hindu-Muslim. He alleged that a process was on to fool everybody on the deal and the government and BJP spokespersons were having to speak a "100 lies to hide one lie".

"Nothing related to security deals are hidden anymore. Thus, there is no point in not disclosing details in the name of (national) security. Defence deals have not been brought under the ambit of the RTI, yet this Rafale came out," he added.

Led by the Congress, the opposition parties have been attacking the BJP government over the Rafale deal, alleging it was procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost.

The government has denied the charge, arguing that it was getting the jets cheaper than what the previous UPA dispensation had negotiated. Anil Ambani had contended that the Indian government had no role in Dassault picking up his company as a local partner.

The Shiv Sena is part of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and also in Maharashtra. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party has often criticised the Modi government over its policies and other issues.

Comments

Hasan Zain
 - 
Tuesday, 2 Oct 2018

If Rafael Scam Has Happened. Then those who  defends that deal might have got the pie from it. Coz as a citizen of India for us country comes first. These people who defends in the name of patriotism are liar and in harsh words we can call them traitors. Coz they play with the security of our country. 
1,First they Made Demonetization, every middle class suffered and GDP came down no body woke up .
2. Then they brought GST all middle level business got killed,
3, Then they started Raising fuel Taxes up-to 300% Still nobody woke up,
4, Then currency got loosing its shine (now 1 USD is reaching 73 Rs)
5. Tried to bring FRCA bill So that people having money in bank may loose their deposits.
6, Gave more then 1000 crores to his friend for non existing university.
7. Lacks of crores written off from Banks in the Name of NPAs
8. Bank Defaulters are running from country and they cannot bring Back,
9, Lynching has become common,
10, Relation with all neighbors are at lowest term.(Even small country like Maldives sends back our Choppers)
11, Corruption at all time High,
12, Terrorism naxalism at all time high,
13, Black Money doubled in Swiss bank,
14, Inflation at all time high
15, Safe of Women at all time low.
and much more with unending list. 
they just do is please people in the name of patriotism and Lord Ram and play dirty politics.
Their defense is Pakistan, Qabrastan, Congress, Dynasty etc, You will never find genuine answer in any of debates on national channels from government or their parent organisation representatives

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
July 17,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 17: A gunman posted at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram allegedly attempted suicide on Friday, the police said.

"A gunman who was working at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram allegedly attempted to commit suicide today. He is currently admitted to a hospital. 

The police were searching for him after his relatives had filed a missing complaint on Thursday night. A case has been registered and a probe is underway," said Police.

The person is identified as Jayagosh. He is attached to the police Armed Reserve (AR) camp and was reported missing since last night. Later, his relatives had filed a missing complaint with the police.

Jayagosh was later found lying in a pool of blood near his house in Akkulam and was taken to the hospital.

A police investigation is underway and more details are awaited.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
April 21,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 21: Not just in China, but in Kerala also robot is now playing a key role in the health workers' fight against COVID-19, thanks to the innovative spirit of a group of young minds and the support of the state Health Department.

Named "Nightingale-19", the robot is deployed to provide food and medicines among patients at the district coronavirus centre in Ancharakandi in Kannur district where a large number of cases have been reported.

The special display facility, attached to it, also allows patients to communicate with health workers and their relatives if necessary, the health minister's office here said.

Designed by the students of Chemberi Vimal Jyothi Engineering College with the support of the Health Department, the remote control-operated robot can carry food and water for at least six persons at a stretch.

Also Read: Pandemic Podcast: How the lockdown is affecting women

The machine, which can travel up to one kilometre, distributes food, water and medicine in each room, a department statement said.

The robot would be disinfected after each use, it said.

Health Minister K K Shailaja inaugurated the new venture from here recently through the robot's video facility, the statement added.

Robots have been put to use in other parts of the country to help in the health workers' fight against COVID- 19.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
January 10,2020

New Delhi, Jan 10: The Supreme Court while hearing petitions challenging restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday stated that the right to access the internet is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution of India.

"It is no doubt that freedom of speech is an essential tool in a democratic setup. The freedom of Internet access is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution," a two-judge bench headed by Justice N V Ramana stated while reading out the judgment.

The top court said that Kashmir has seen a lot of violence and that it will try to maintain a balance between human rights and freedoms with the issue of security.

It also directed the Jammu and Kashmir administration to review the restrictive orders imposed in the region within a week. “The citizens should be provided highest security and liberty,” the apex court added.

The top court made observations and issued directions while pronouncing the verdict on a number of petitions challenging the restrictions and internet blockade imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August last year.

The Supreme Court had on November 27 reserved the judgment on a batch of petitions challenging restrictions imposed on communication, media and telephone services in Jammu and Kashmir pursuant to revocation of Article 370.

The court heard the petitions filed by various petitioners including Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kashmir Times editor Anuradha Bhasin.

The petitions were filed after the central government scrapped Article 370 in August and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Following this, phone lines and the internet were blocked in the region.

The government had, however, contended that it has progressively eased restrictions.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.