Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 27: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today accused the Congress of making a desperate bid to corner Modi Government prior to 2019 elections, by fabricating lies and scams in the hope that it may succeed in maligning the clean image of party led NDA Government at Centre.
“Congress which made a record of scams during UPA II is trying desperately to paint BJP with the same brush”, party State spokesperson, Brig. (Retd) Anil Gupta along with IGP (Retd.) S.S. Bijral and Balbir Ram Rattan, the other two State spokespersons of the party told reporters here, today. Terming the Rafale deal as “scam” is an attempt of Congress at mud-slinging only.
He however said that Congress will never succeed in its nefarious design aimed at maligning image of BJP and Narendra Modi Government.
Ridiculing the Congress claim that a loss of INR 41,205 crore has been caused to national exchequer by purchasing a 526 crore aircraft for 1670 crore based on the international bid opened in December 2012 by UPA II, Brig Gupta clarified that till 2014, UPA Government failed to negotiate the contract with the manufacturer due to difference of opinion in fulfilling certain conditions of the Request For Proposal (RFP) pertaining to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
He said Rs 526 crore was the “offer price” and not the final “negotiated price” and hence the two prices are incomparable. Also, this price quoted was of a basic aircraft without any add-ons. The present purchase of 36 aircraft in “fly-away” condition is custom-made and includes a lethal weapon package, performance based logistical support (ensuring 75% serviceability of fleet at all times), 13 India-specific capabilities, 50% offset, supply of spares, servicing, training of pilots, and state of art avionics. Also, the difference in value of dollar in 2012 and 2016 needs to be kept in mind as you cannot compare apples and oranges, Brig Gupta advised the Congress.
He said the present contract also includes five year maintenance guarantee.
He said Rahul Gandhi had to eat a humble pie on the floor of the House during “No Confidence Motion” debate on the issue of “secrecy” clause which was also subsequently clarified by the French Ambassador. Still, Congress continues to rake up the issue just to mislead the people, claimed Brig Gupta.
He said the “operational capability of a strategic platform depends on its configuration and no nation discloses it,”. He further alleged that by insisting for the same Congress is trying to help the intelligence agencies of China and Pakistan.
He also rejected the Congress allegation about not following the laid down procedures and bypassing Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) by Modi Government. CCS had given clearance to the proposal of purchasing 36 aircraft on government to government basis prior to Modi’s departure for Paris on April, 9, 2015, he added.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
