Smriti Irani: Lies of Rahul Gandhi on Rafale bargain have been exposed

Kolkata, Dec 17 Union minister Smriti Irani Monday blamed the opposition Congress of trying to malign the nation's defence establishment and said "lies" of the party's chief Rahul Gandhi on Rafale bargain have been exposed.

The Congress is trying to play with the national security and is spreading deceives delude the people, Irani told a press conference here.

"The Congress has spread lies as well as attempted to defame the Indian Air Force and the guard foundation. The Congress has attempted to hinder fortifying our powers," she said.

"The lies of Congress and its party president Rahul Gandhi have been exposed. Rahul Gandhi ought to uncover his source of information," Irani added.

The Supreme Court Friday dismissed the requests testing the arrangement among India and France for acquisition of 36 Rafale jets saying there was no event to "really doubt the decision making process" justifying warranting setting aside of the contract.

The Congress has repeatedly criticised the deal for the 36 Rafale jets, alleging that the government was procuring every air ship at an expense of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore settled by the UPA government.

The government has, however, denied any irregularity in the deal.