Modi in hurry to sack CBI chief for Rafale: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul tweeted, "1. Why is the PM in such a tearing hurry to sack the CBI Chief? 2. Why will he not allow the CBI Chief to present his case in front of the selection committee ? Answer: RAFALE"

Rahul had alleged Verma, who has now been reinstated as the CBI chief by the Supreme Court, was earlier removed by the Centre for fighting with his deputy Rakesh Asthana over bribery cases. The Congress chief had said Verma was investigating the Rafale deal.

Giving a thumbs down to the Modi government, the top court said a Selection Panel, which is constituted by the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice and leader of the single largest opposition party, to meet within a week and take the final call on Verma.

The panel, from which CJI Ranjan Gogoi opted out as he gave a verdict to reinstate Verma as the CBI chief, will meet on Thursday. Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the single largest opposition party, will also be present in the meeting which will be held at the Prime Minister's residence.

In place of Gogoi, Justice AK Sikri will be present in the meeting.

Rahul's Rafale allegations:

The Congress president alleged that Modi bypassed the Rafale deal and gave the offset contract to his businessman friend Anil Ambani to benefit the latter.

Though the Supreme Court had said that specific process was being followed in signing the deal, the main rival party has made Rafale an election issue to attack the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Image: Congress Twitter