PMO's intervention in Rafale deal 'disrespect to the nation': Andhra Pradesh CM
A political slugfest erupted on Friday after a media report in The Hindu published a Defence Ministry note, which raised strong objections to “parallel negotiations” conducted by the PMO with the French side in
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, on Saturday said the Prime Minister Office’s (PMO) intervention in Rafale deal was a "disrespect to the nation" and demanded an independent investigation into the pact.
A political slugfest erupted on Friday after a media report in The Hindu published a Defence Ministry note, which raised strong objections to “parallel negotiations” conducted by the PMO with the French side in the Rafale deal since it “weakened the negotiating position” of the Indian side”.
Criticising PMO’s intervention in the deal, Naidu said his party will do a peaceful "Gandhian" protest, reported news agency ANI.
“PMO's intervention in Rafale deal is a disrespect to the nation. We will do a peaceful Gandhian protest with yellow and black shirts and balloons,” he said.
Naidu also took to Twitter to hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the deal should be investigated independently so that truth comes out.
"PM Narendra Modi's silence on Rs. 59,000 Cr Rafale deal and reports on the possibility of India's Biggest Defence scam directly involving the PMO, speaks volumes of BJP govt's destructive decisions. Modi ji, truth cannot be hidden for long when you cheat the nation,” he tweeted.
Citing Defence Ministry's note on the deal, he said, “PMO's interference in the name of “parallel negotiations”, bypassing the Ministry of Defense in finalising Rafale deal, undermined the negotiating position of the Indian Negotiating Team. These revelations are shocking. They indicate a lack of integrity and regard within BJP government.”
“All latest developments in the Rafale Scam case have strengthened the suspicion over the deal and require to be investigated independently so that truth comes out. This time BJP govt cannot get away with manipulating factual information regarding the negotiations for their benefit,” he wrote in another tweet.
As per the dissent note, dated 24 November 2015, the Defence Ministry brought to the notice of then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar that the position taken by the PMO on Rafale deal was “contradictory to the stand taken by MoD and the negotiating team”. The report published by The Hindu, however, did not mention Parrikar’s response to MoD dissent note.
According to the full note of the Defence Ministry, accessed by news agency ANI, Parrikar responded to the note, saying, "It appears PMO and French President office are monitoring the progress of the issue which was an outcome of the summit meeting. Para 5 appears to be an over reaction.” He further asked the then Defence Secretary, G Mohan Kumar, who had written the note, to resolve the matter in consultation with the principal secretary to PM.
Kumar on Friday clarified that the dissent was not over the pricing issue. “It (MoD dissent note on Rafale negotiations) had nothing to do with price. It was about sovereign guarantees and general terms and conditions... Whatever has been brought out has nothing to do with pricing," Kumar said, according to news agency ANI.