PM acting like Anil Ambani's middleman: Rahul Gandhi targets Modi over Rafale deal

New Delhi, Feb 12: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Rafale fighter jet deal a day after repeating his allegation of corruption in the 36-jet deal.

Ambani's knowledge of a defence deal under preparation, which even the then defence minister had said he was not aware of, is in violation of the Official Secrets Act, Gandhi alleged at a press conference, and said this "puts Modi in jail".

Only Modi could have told Ambani about the deal in advance, he alleged.

"This is treason. He (Modi) is doing what spies do," Gandhi said.Only Modi could have told Ambani about the deal in advance, he alleged.

"This is treason. He (Modi) is doing what spies do," Gandhi said.

Ambani, according to an official who was briefed on the meeting, expressed his wish to work with Airbus Helicopters on both commercial and defence helicopters. He is also said to have mentioned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 'in preparation and the intention to sign during the PM visit,' he added.

Rahul Gandhi said Anil Ambani knew about deal before HAL. This was not a matter of corruption, the prime minister violated the Official Secrets Act, he said. "Narendra Modi acted as Anil Ambani's middleman."

Rahul said that the CAG report is a "worthless report". He added, "I would term it as a 'Chowkidar Auditor General Report'. It is Narendra Modi's report, written for the Chowkidar, on behalf of the Chowkidar, for the Chowkidar by the Chowkidar."