Arun Jaitley questions Hollande’s statement on Rafale, says truth can’t have two versions

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday questioned former French president Francois Hollande's statement on the Rafale fighter jet deal, saying “truth cannot have two versions”.

Jaitley said Hollande contradicted his own statements, commenting after the French leader's statement that the Indian government wanted the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence to be chosen as offset partner of Dassault, the manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jets.

“A controversy is sought to be created on the basis of a statement made by the former French President Hollande, that the Reliance Defence 'partnership' with Dassault Aviation was entered at the suggestion of the Indian Government. In a subsequent statement the former President has sought to suggest that Reliance Defence emerged on the scene after the agreement with the Indian Government was entered into. He has, in a subsequent statement, said that he is 'not aware' if Government ever lobbied for Reliance Defence and that 'the partners chose themselves'. Truth cannot have two versions,” said Jaitley in a Facebook post.