Corruption In Rafale Deal Led To Loss Of Rs 21,075 Crore: Congress

The government has denied any wrongdoing and the presence of middlemen in the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from French firm Dassault Aviation, noting that it was a government-to-government deal.

Launching a fresh offensive, the Congress demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday over charges of a "middleman" in the Rafale fighter jet deal and sought an independent probe into the matter. Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged corruption and a loss of Rs 21,075 crore to the state exchequer in the Rafale deal, after a French media outlet reported about the role of a "middleman". "How can a private individual and middleman be so powerful as to influence the decisions of the Modi government in India's biggest defence deal? Does it not require a thorough independent investigation?" he asked at a press conference. "The government can no longer hide and it must answer to the people of India," Mr Surjewala said.