'Nirmala Sitharaman has lied to the country over Rafale deal', says Rahul Gandhi in Bidar

Bidar, Aug 13: Congress president Rahul Gandhi arrived at Bidar in Karnataka on Monday to begin campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, media reports said.

Addressing a gathering, Gandhi said,''I challenge PM Modi from this stage. Karnataka govt waived off loans of farmers. I challenge you (centre) to provide 50% of the farm loan waived in Karnataka. If you have 56-inch chest, I dare you to do this. But you won't do this.''

''I mentioned in Parliament about the corruption in Rafale deal. UPA made a deal to procure jets. But PM Modi traveled to France and changed the contract,'' Congress President further said.

''Nirmala Sitharaman Ji has lied to the youth of the nation. She said India & France have a secret pact & so they can't reveal the price of Rafale aircraft. I asked France President if this is true & he denied,'' he said.

Gandhi will also embark on his maiden visit to Telangana after becoming the Congress president. During his visit, he will address women self-help groups, students and unemployed youth, entrepreneurs and others in separate events in Hyderabad on Monday and on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Gandhi would hold a teleconference with 31,600 booth committee presidents, mandal and district Congress presidents and also state unit office bearers.