The Congress on Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" the process of Rafale fighter jet agreement by "punishing" bureaucrats who raised objections to the deal and rewarding "obliging officials".

The opposition party also reiterated its demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe.&nbsp;

Congress spokesperson S Jaipal Reddy said defence deals of this magnitude are first examined by departments, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security and then sealed.

He alleged that in 2016, the then joint secretary was overruled by the Director-General acquisition for the go-ahead to the deal, after a new officer was brought in the post, in place of the person who had the reputation of being unbending.

"To manage this process, bureaucrats were bulldozed, bullied, punished, promoted, the whole process of ratification was fabricated, stage-managed, and manipulated. Such a thing has not happened in the history of independent India," Reddy alleged, claiming that "obliging officers" were "rewarded" later.

The opposition led by the Congress has been accusing the government of benefiting Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Ltd. From the Rafale deal. The government and Reliance Defence have dismissed all the allegations as false.

The Rafale controversy took a new turn last month after Francois Hollande, who was French president when the Rs 58,000-crore deal was announced, was quoted as saying by French publication Mediapart that France was given "no choice" on the selection of the Indian partner for Dassault, the manufacturer of Rafale jets.&nbsp;

The Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner for the French aerospace giant, he said. However, the government maintained its stand that it had no role in choosing the Indian offset partner for Dassault.

Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.&nbsp;

The Congress on Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" the process of Rafale fighter jet agreement by "punishing" bureaucrats who raised objections to the deal and rewarding "obliging officials".

The Congress on Wednesday accused the Modi government of "manipulating" the process of Rafale fighter jet agreement by "punishing" bureaucrats who raised objections to the deal and rewarding "obliging officials". The opposition party also reiterated its demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe. Congress spokesperson S Jaipal Reddy said defence deals of this magnitude are first examined by departments, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security and then sealed. He alleged that in 2016, the then joint secretary was overruled by the Director-General acquisition for the go-ahead to the deal, after a new officer was brought in the post, in place of the person who had the reputation of being unbending. "To manage this process, bureaucrats were bulldozed, bullied, punished, promoted, the whole process of ratification was fabricated, stage-managed, and manipulated. Such a thing has not happened in the history of independent India," Reddy alleged, claiming that "obliging officers" were "rewarded" later. The opposition led by the Congress has been accusing the government of benefiting Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Ltd. From the Rafale deal. The government and Reliance Defence have dismissed all the allegations as false. The Rafale controversy took a new turn last month after Francois Hollande, who was French president when the Rs 58,000-crore deal was announced, was quoted as saying by French publication Mediapart that France was given "no choice" on the selection of the Indian partner for Dassault, the manufacturer of Rafale jets. The Indian government proposed the name of Reliance as offset partner for the French aerospace giant, he said. However, the government maintained its stand that it had no role in choosing the Indian offset partner for Dassault. Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015, in Paris.

Congress alleges govt 'manipulated' Rafale deal process

Senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy Thursday alleged French President Emmanuel Macron did not contradict Francois Hollande's claim on Rafale deal which was tantamount to the confirmation of his predecessor's claim, reported news agency PTI.

Modi is getting caught or sandwiched between international revelations and internal disclosures, he said.

Noting that the "Rafale scam has begin to stink and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has begin to sink", Reddy said India has had a very good relationship with France and "when a former French president says something, this country needs to sit up and take notice".

Reddy&nbsp;alleged Anil Ambani's company was taken as an offset partner because of the pressure from Government of India and it was so intense that the French authorities were left with no choice, the report further said.

"It is for the first time that the present French president Macron while answering a specific question avoided the question. He simply said I was not in charge at that time. In other words, he did not contradict the version of former French president Hollande," he claimed.

"The point we would like to highlight is this consistent non-contradiction by the current French authorities which is absolutely tantamount to confirmation on the facts mentioned by the former president," he added.

"The non-contraction by the current president of France is equivalent to an international revelation," Reddy was quoted as saying.

Reddy said Modi owed an explanation to the nation about the statement made by the former president of France on Ambani's company.

Senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy Thursday alleged French President Emmanuel Macron did not contradict Francois Hollande's claim on Rafale deal which was tantamount to the confirmation of his predecessor's claim, reported news agency PTI.

Senior Congress leader Jaipal Reddy Thursday alleged French President Emmanuel Macron did not contradict Francois Hollande's claim on Rafale deal which was tantamount to the confirmation of his predecessor's claim, reported news agency PTI. Modi is getting caught or sandwiched between international revelations and internal disclosures, he said. Noting that the "Rafale scam has begin to stink and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has begin to sink", Reddy said India has had a very good relationship with France and "when a former French president says something, this country needs to sit up and take notice". Reddy alleged Anil Ambani's company was taken as an offset partner because of the pressure from Government of India and it was so intense that the French authorities were left with no choice, the report further said. "It is for the first time that the present French president Macron while answering a specific question avoided the question. He simply said I was not in charge at that time. In other words, he did not contradict the version of former French president Hollande," he claimed. "The point we would like to highlight is this consistent non-contradiction by the current French authorities which is absolutely tantamount to confirmation on the facts mentioned by the former president," he added. "The non-contraction by the current president of France is equivalent to an international revelation," Reddy was quoted as saying. Reddy said Modi owed an explanation to the nation about the statement made by the former president of France on Ambani's company.

Macron did not contradict Hollande's claim on Rafale: Jaipal Reddy

Claiming that the ruling TRS in&nbsp;Telangana is now worried for having chosen to advance the assembly elections, senior Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy has said his party would have the upper hand in the polls.

"KCR (TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao) is now worried that he has taken a hurried step. There is fright in the TRS camp," he told.

The polls were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections next year.

But the Assembly was dissolved earlier this month as per a recommendation of the state cabinet, which necessitated elections ahead of schedule.

In a swift move, TRS had announced candidates for 105 of the total of 119 assembly segments the day Assembly was dissolved.

Reddy said 50-60 per cent of Congress' candidates are known to the people and the remaining would be finalised as per the party's process.

He also said the dates of elections are not known yet and that the matter of alleged irregularities in voters' lists in the state was before the court (Supreme Court).

"There are many aspects to the electoral scene in Telangana. First of all, it's still not clear when the elections will be or should be held.

In my view, the notification date for enrolment of voters cannot be changed by the Election Commission. That's now under the court's purview," Reddy said.

He said Congress would have the upper hand in the polls as every section of society is 'unhappy' with the TRS government.

"I am staking my personal reputation by stating that Congress will have the upper hand in Telangana. Every section in society is unhappy with KCR. They think that he has cheated every group in Telangana.&nbsp;There is a huge reaction. The reaction has so far been silent. From now, it will not be silent," Reddy said.

He dismissed TRS' charge that the proposed alliance between Congress and TDP (as part of a grand alliance among various parties) is 'unholy' as both have been bitter rivals.

"As yet, there is no alliance. But I am not ruling out an alliance. What is so unholy about it? Mr KCR and Mr Chandrababu Naidu canvassed together in 2009 elections. 
So it is like the devil citing the scriptures," Reddy said.&nbsp;

Claiming that the ruling TRS in Telangana is now worried for having chosen to advance the assembly elections, senior Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy has said his party would have the upper hand in the polls.

Claiming that the ruling TRS in Telangana is now worried for having chosen to advance the assembly elections, senior Congress leader S Jaipal Reddy has said his party would have the upper hand in the polls. "KCR (TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao) is now worried that he has taken a hurried step. There is fright in the TRS camp," he told. The polls were originally scheduled to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections next year. But the Assembly was dissolved earlier this month as per a recommendation of the state cabinet, which necessitated elections ahead of schedule. In a swift move, TRS had announced candidates for 105 of the total of 119 assembly segments the day Assembly was dissolved. Reddy said 50-60 per cent of Congress' candidates are known to the people and the remaining would be finalised as per the party's process. He also said the dates of elections are not known yet and that the matter of alleged irregularities in voters' lists in the state was before the court (Supreme Court). "There are many aspects to the electoral scene in Telangana. First of all, it's still not clear when the elections will be or should be held. In my view, the notification date for enrolment of voters cannot be changed by the Election Commission. That's now under the court's purview," Reddy said. He said Congress would have the upper hand in the polls as every section of society is 'unhappy' with the TRS government. "I am staking my personal reputation by stating that Congress will have the upper hand in Telangana. Every section in society is unhappy with KCR. They think that he has cheated every group in Telangana. There is a huge reaction. The reaction has so far been silent. From now, it will not be silent," Reddy said. He dismissed TRS' charge that the proposed alliance between Congress and TDP (as part of a grand alliance among various parties) is 'unholy' as both have been bitter rivals. "As yet, there is no alliance. But I am not ruling out an alliance. What is so unholy about it? Mr KCR and Mr Chandrababu Naidu canvassed together in 2009 elections. So it is like the devil citing the scriptures," Reddy said.

Ruling TRS worried about advancing Telangana assembly polls: Jaipal Reddy

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Congress alleges govt 'manipulated' Rafale deal process

Macron did not contradict Hollande's claim on Rafale: Jaipal Reddy

Ruling TRS worried about advancing Telangana assembly polls: Jaipal Reddy