Rafale deal: PM Modi snatched contract from HAL, gave it to Anil Ambani, says Rahul Gandhi

Also Read | Dassault Aviation CEO on Rafale deal: ‘We chose Ambani by ourselves… I don’t lie’

In response to a question on Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that Dassault paid Rs 284 crore in alleged “kickbacks” to a Reliance firm to purchase land near an airfield in Nagpur, Trappier said, “I am sad to hear that. We have had a long experience with the Congress.”

On allegations of corruption in the Rafale deal, Trappier said, “I don’t lie. The truth I declared before and the statements I made are true. I don’t have a reputation of lying. In my position as CEO, you don’t lie.”

The political row over the Rafale jet deal escalated Tuesday with the Congress dismissing as ‘manufactured lies’ the claims by the Dassault CEO there was no wrong-doing and its chief Rahul Gandhi firing a fresh salvo at PM Modi. Responding to Trappier’s defence of the contract in a media interview, Congress chief Randeep Surjewala, “The nation needs a “fair investigation” and not “doctored explanations” on the fighter jet deal.”

” ‘Dictated Interviews’ and ‘manufactured lies’ cannot suppress the Rafale Scam. First rule of Law – Mutual Beneficiaries and Co-accused’s statements hold no value. Second Rule:-Beneficiaries and accused can’t be Judge in their own case. Truth has a way of coming out,” Surjewala said on Twitter.

He also said, “Fixed match between BJP Government and Dassault and PR Stunts of PM Modi and Eric Trappier can’t hide the blatant corruption.”