PM Modi should answer if Rafale deal intended to reinforce IAF or industrialist: Shiv Sena

Mumbai, Feb 9 The Shiv Sena on Saturday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should answer whether the Rafale deal was meant to strengthen the Air Force or a financially-troubled industrialist. The party's remarks came after a report in a newspaper asserted that the Defence Ministry had raised solid protests to "parallel discussions" conducted by the PMO amid the dealings over the Rs 59,000 crore Rafale deal among India and France.

The Sena, in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana' said Modi gave a speech on "patriotism" in Parliament on Thursday and defended the deal. "Yet, the very next day, the 'black page' (report) came out, which quieted those raising energetic mottos and pounding seats in the House," it said.

Without naming anybody, the Shiv Sena said that Modi was relied upon to answer if the arrangement was finalised to strengthen the Air Force or a financially-troubled industrialist.

Referring to Congress president Rahul Gandhi's steady analysis of the administration on the Rafale issue, the Uddhav Thackeray-drove gathering additionally inquired as to why the resistance ought to be accused for it. "The rivals may die (politically), yet truth will stay alive," it said.

"The prime minister made the oft-rehashed charge (in Parliament) that the Congress does not need fortifying of the defence services. And the next day, documents surface, showing how extreme Modi's own enthusiasm for the arrangement was. What to make out of it?" the Sena asked.

"Modi was directly 'dealing' in the Rafale transactions. Key people like defence minister, defence secretary were avoided it. Modi himself took choices on issues like costs of Rafale (planes) and who might get its agreement. Hence, he will have to face allegations and criticism," it claimed.

"How does looking for clarifications on issues of national security move toward becoming analysis of the nation," the party asked.

Modi had on Thursday said in Parliament that the resistance could censure him and the BJP, yet not the country over the issue.

The Sena on Saturday further affirmed that the meanings of patriotism and energy stood "changed" under the current BJP-drove routine. "The individuals who sing paeans of Rafale bargain are nationalists, while those bringing up issues about its evaluating are being labelled as traitors now," it claimed.

The BJP's warring partner included that people of the nation would keep asking questions till they find an agreeable solution on why a plane costing Rs 500 crore was purchased at Rs 1,600 crore.

It also said that Modi had ruled the nation without any help for as far back as four-and-half years. "However, censuring the Congress for issues, for example, value rise and corruption is much the same as covering own (the government's) failures," it said.