Rahul Gandhi is playing into the hands of Pakistan: Ravi Shankar Prasad

Hours after Rahul Gandhi mounted a fresh attack on Narendra Modi and called the prime minister a 'thief for the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal, BJP hit back at the Congress president and described his comments as ''deplorable''.

Never before in the history of independent India, has a party president used such words for a prime minister, Prasad said and added that Congress president was playing into the hands of Pakistan and China.

''It's my charge with the full sense of responsibility, Rahul is playing into the hands of enemies of India like Pakistan by insisting upon disclosure of all weapon system,'' Prasad said.

''We can't expect anything else from Rahul Gandhi. He has no quality or ability. He's there due to his family, said Union Law Minister.

Describing Congress president's statement ''irresponsible'' and ''baseless'', Prasad said Rahul Gandhi concocts lies and repeats it.

Earlier Ministry of Defence once again reiterated that the Government of India had no role in the selection of Indian Offset partner which is a commercial decision of the Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Unnecessary controversies are being created following reports regarding a statement purportedly made by former French President, Francois Hollande, concerning the selection of Reliance Defence as the Offset partner by Dassault, manufacturers of Rafale aircraft, Ministry of Defence said in a statement.