Rafale deal: Costlier aircraft and longer delivery period, says Chidambaram on CAG report

New Delhi, Feb 13: Senior Congress leader Chidambaram on Wednesday contradicted the BJP government claim; saying that the Chapter 4 of the CAG report clearly says "a costlier aircraft and a longer delivery period".

Taking to twitter, Chidambaram wrote "Rafale story unfolds. At the end of Chapter 4, what do we have? A costlier aircraft and a longer delivery period!"

No bank guarantee, no sovereign guarantee and no escrow account!, he added.

Stating that the lies of 'mahajhootbandhan' now stood exposed, Jaitley wrote, "It cannot be that the Supreme Court is wrong, the CAG is wrong and only the dynast is right."

Listing a comparison between the two deals, Jaitley said, "2016 vs. 2007 terms - Lower price, faster delivery, better maintenance, lower escalation."

The Rafale deal sealed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is 2.8 per cent cheaper than the one negotiated by the previous Congress-led UPA government.

The report disclosed that the NDA's deal for 36 Rafale aircraft is 2.86 per cent cheaper than the deal which was negotiated by the UPA government.

It adds that the delivery schedule of the first 18 Rafale aircraft is better than the one which was proposed in the 126 aircraft deal.