French ex-Prez's Rafale statement: Yechury attacks Modi govt for its alleged corruption

Hollande has said India had asked the French government to nominate Indian industrialist Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Industries as its partner in the Rafale deal.

Hollande was quoted as saying by French website Mediapart.

Yechury took to Twitter to say, "Modi govt scrapped the 126 aircraft deal (with only 18 aircraft to be built in France) with a deal where 36 would be built there (Hollande acknowledges that as a “good thing”). It then asked the French to choose a crony friend of Modi: Crystal-clear case of corruption & cronyism"

However, denying such claims, the French government said they only played the role to ensure the delivery and quality of the aircraft.

"The intergovernmental agreement signed on 23rd September 2016 between the French and Indian governments for supplying India with 36 Rafale aircraft concerns the obligations of the French government solely with regard to ensuring the delivery and quality of this equipment," said the statement.

"The French government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners who have been, are being, or will be selected by French companies. In accordance with India’s acquisition procedure, French companies have the full freedom to choose the Indian partner companies that they consider to be the most relevant, then present for the Indian government’s approval the offsets projects that they wish to execute in India with these local partners so as to fulfil their obligations in this regard," it said.

It said: "As it happens, agreements have already been signed by French companies with many Indian firms, both public and private, under the framework of Indian laws."

Rahul Gandhi attacks Narendra Modi:

Congress President Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre over the issue and said the Prime Minister has 'betrayed' the nation.

"The PM personally negotiated & changed the #Rafale deal behind closed doors. Thanks to François Hollande, we now know he personally delivered a deal worth billions of dollars to a bankrupt Anil Ambani. The PM has betrayed India. He has dishonoured the blood of our soldiers," Gandhi tweeted.

The Congress party has claimed that the central government caused a loss of over Rs. 41000 to the exchequer in connection with the Rafale deal.

The party accused the Centre of endangering the national security by bypassing the HAL in favour of some businessman "friends" for offset contract in the controversial Rafale deal.

The Rafale deal has taken the centre stage of Indian politics of late with the Congress demanding the release of the price at which 36 fighter jets were bought by the Indian government from France.