Reliance Defence threatens to sue Rahul Gandhi over Rafale deal remark

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale fighter aircraft agreement and asked the media why it did not question him for allegedly changing the deal to benefit a businessman.

In a series of sarcastic tweets, Rahul Gandhi said,''Modi ji - nice touch removing the suit. What about the loot?

''Can you explain "Reliance" on someone with nil experience in aerospace for Rafale deal? Self "Reliance" is obviously a critical aspect of "Make in India," the 47-year-old leader tweeted, making it clear who he was referring to.

He also asked why no questions were posed to the prime minister on Amit Shah's son Jay, whose company the Congress has alleged has witnessed a quantum jump in turnover since the Modi government came to power.

The Congress has accused that the government neglected the interests of public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of Rafale aircraft, refused to transfer technology to it and instead entered into an agreement with Reliance Defence.

He also alleged that the aircraft was being purchased at much higher rates than what was decided after the completion of the tender process under the previous UPA government.

However, the BJP has rubbished alll the allegations, claiming the party was engaging in a "stunt" by raising the Rafale issue as it was scared at the prospect of its top leadership, including the Gandhis, being questioned in the VVIP chopper scam.

Meanwhile, the Reliance Defence has warned of legal action against the Congress if it does not retract the allegations.

"Government policy issued on 24 June 2016 allows for 49% FDI in the Defence Sector under the automatic route, without any prior approval. No approvals from the Union Cabinet or CCS were required for the formation of the aforesaid Joint Venture company under the automatic route," the company said in a statement.

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