Sitaram Yechury: Rafale deal prime example of cronyism, corruption

New Delhi, Nov 1 Welcoming the Supreme Court's structure to Centre to submit details of pricing of the Rafale fighter planes India is purchasing from France, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury claimed Thursday that the Modi government has endeavored to "conceal" its mystery and dishonest activities in the multi-crore defence deal.

Charging that the Rafale bargain was an example of cronyism and corruption, Yechury said he was confident reality about the arrangement will turn out as the zenith court has insisted on facts.

"Modi govt has tried to conceal its trickeries in the Rafale scam by giving a wide range of reasons. With Supreme Court demanding realities, reality about this prime case of cronyism and defilement will completely turn out," he tweeted.

The government has denied allegations of corruption in the deal.

The Supreme Court Wednesday approached the Centre for valuing subtle elements of the 36 Rafale planes India is purchasing from France in a fixed cover inside 10 days however concurred that "strategic and confidential" data require not be disclosed.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi gave some breathing space to the administration, which has contended that valuing subtle elements are sensitive to the point that they have not been imparted to Parliament.

The court was hearing four petitions, including one by promoter Prashant Bhushan and previous pastors Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha who are looking for a court-checked CBI examination in the buy of the fighter jets.

The court posted the issue for hearing on November 14.

India consented to an arrangement with France for 36 Rafale flying machine in a take off condition as a major aspect of the overhauling procedure of the Indian Air Force gear. The Rafale warrior fly is a twin-motor Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft fabricated by French aviation organization Dassault Aviation.

Indian Air Force had advanced a proposal to purchase 126 fighter aircraft in August 2007 and floated a tender. Following this, an invitation was sent to various aviation companies to participate in the bidding process.