Rafale row Highlights | Very dangerous: Sitharaman accuses Congress of trying to provoke army, IAF against govt

Congress president Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal. The Opposition has repeatedly targeted the Centre over the deal, alleging bloated prices for the fighter jets and corruption over the involvement of Reliance Defence in the deal, overlooking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.In the latest controversy, the Congress alleged that the defence ministry objected to the PMO’s ‘interference’ in the deal. Read highlights here:

12:50 pm IST

New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks to the media persons at the Parliament during ongoing Budget Session, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Feb. 06, 2019. (PTI Photo/ Shahbaz Khan)(PTI2_6_2019_000069A) (PTI)

Congress trying to provoke armed forces: Sitharaman

Congress trying to provoke the army and air force against the government. It is not only unfortunate but dangerous too: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman

12:40 pm IST

Manohar Parrikar had replied to that MoD note: Sitharaman

Then defence minister Manohar Parrikar ji replied to that MoD note, saying ‘remain calm, nothing to worry, everything is going alright’. Now, what do you call the NAC led by Sonia Gandhi’s interference in the earlier PMO: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

12:25 pm IST

Demand joint parliamentary committee: Kharge

We demand a joint parliamentary committee, everything will be revealed then, we don’t want any explanation now, have heard many explanations, from PM also: Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress.

12:20 pm IST

Uproar in Lok Sabha by Opposition

Uproar in Lok Sabha by opposition members over MoD dissent note on Rafale negotiations. TMC MP Saugata Roy says, “Modi-Shah duo is destroying the defence backbone of the country.”

Congress leaders have got ‘supari’ to misguide people on national security: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Sometimes it looks like some people, especially senior leaders of the Congress, have got ‘supari’ to defame and misguide people on the sensitive issue of national security. Congress situation is: Na izzat ki chinta na fikar kisi apmaan ki, jai bolo beimaan ki: Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Rafale row

11:15 am IST

MoD dissent note was about sovereign guarantees: former defence secy

It (MoD dissent note on Rafale negotiations) had nothing to do with price. It was about sovereign guarantees and general terms and conditions: G Mohan Kumar, defence secretary at the time of Rafale negotiations to ANI.

10:52 am IST

Note clearly says PM held parallel talks with France: Rahul Gandhi

Note clearly says PM bypassed defence ministry, PM held parallel talks with France: Rahul Gandhi

10:48 am IST

PM stole ₹30,000 crore of public money: Rahul Gandhi

Hollande too had earlier claimed PM’s interference. PM stole ₹30,000 crore of public money: Rahul Gandhi

10:46 am IST

Defence ministry note claims parallel negotiations by PMO: Rahul Gandhi

Defence ministry note claims parallel negotiations by PMO. Narendra Modi is guilty in Rafale deal. Nirmala Sitharaman lied, Modi lied. I want to speak to our jawans: Rahul Gandhi

10:42 am IST

Prime Minister directly involved in Rafale deal: Rahul Gandhi

Prime Minister directly involved in Rafale deal. According to Hindu newspaper, now it is black and white: Rahul Gandhi

10:22 am IST

Defence ministry opposed PMO’s interference in Rafale deal: Congress

Signed, sealed & now delivered for the whole country to see. Your lies are out in the open Modiji, the Defence Ministry clearly opposed your interference in the Rafale deal & you have single handedly undermined India's position. #ChowkidarChorHai #PakdaGayaModi pic.twitter.com/8nGic1xH4V— Congress (@INCIndia) February 8, 2019