The desperation of media to link the current BJP regime to any scandal is reaching to new levels. They are now resorting to blatantly fake news in order to show non-existent wrong-doings by the Modi government and/or associated entities. Recently, The Indian Express published a misleading news item which alleged that Indian defence officials received kickbacks of worth Rs. 17.5 crore through Global Marketing SP Ltd in contract for spares for AN-32 Aircraft.
As soon as this news broke, fake news and rumors were spread like a wild fire that Indian officials had taken kickbacks for the procurement of spare parts of a plane. Some media houses and Congress President Rahul Gandhi also spread this fake news. The Congress President Rahul Gandhi tried to portray it as BJP’s ‘Bofors moment’. He was quick to grab the opportunity and took to twitter to attack the Modi government. He tweeted, “Ministry Of Defence (MODI) officials, accused of making millions of $’s in kickbacks via Dubai by Ukrainian Govt. in the AN32 deal. Modi ji, as our self-proclaimed chokidar, I urge you to take immediate action against your corrupt MODI officials (sic).”
Ministry Of Defence, India (MODI) officials, accused of making millions of $'s in kickbacks via Dubai by Ukrainian Govt. in AN32 deal.
Modi ji, as our self proclaimed chokidar, I urge you to take immediate action against your corrupt MODI officials.#BJPDefenceScam https://t.co/ZCKkgR8muc
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 31, 2018
Not just Rahul Gandhi but the Congress party and its various state units were also quick to spread this rumor under the hash tag #BJPDefenceScam.
On the campaign trail, PM Modi said he'll end corruption. It looks like corruption under his Govt started as soon as he took office. #BJPDefenceScam pic.twitter.com/5WUls0crxw
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 31, 2018
After Multi Crore Rafale Scam, India's Defence Ministry officials received kickbacks worth $Millions in purchase of spares for military transport aircraft An-32. Will Modi Govt. clear the air in this issue or continue with his trips abroad in a nonchalant manner#BJPDefenceScam pic.twitter.com/aJ4S9xUm0f
— Mumbai Congress (@INCMumbai) May 31, 2018
However, the truth is that it’s the Ukrainian government which has asked the Indian government for help in a probe against its own government officials. Their attempt to target the BJP was thwarted by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Ministry of Defence has clarified that it has never dealt with the company in question, putting to rest all the rumors. It has also clarified that it was asked for help by Ukraine to probe their own officials. She tweeted, “A misleading news item has appeared alleging kickbacks to Indian govt officials through Global Marketing SP Ltd in a contract for spares for AN-32 Aircraft. It’s informed that MoD or IAF has neither interacted nor signed any agreement with them nor any such agreements witnessed: MoD”
A misleading news item has appeared alleging kickbacks to Indian govt officials through Global Marketing SP Ltd in contract for spares for AN-32 Aircraft. It's informed that MoD or IAF has neither interacted or signed any agreement with them nor any such agreements witnessed: MoD
— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2018
'A misleading news item appeared in @IndianExpress alleging kickbacks to GoI officials through Global Marketing SP Ltd in contract for spares for AN-32 Aircraft. MoD or @IAF_MCC has not signed any agreement w/ above mentioned firm'
Full Press Release-https://t.co/iUU2lRXcqV… https://t.co/xpXU1FII0A— Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) May 31, 2018
Due to the transparent and corruption free governance in the last four years, the opposition is out of issues to attack the Modi government with and has desperately tried to portray innocuous issues as if the next Bofors was in the making. This is not the first time that opposition has tried to tarnish the clean and honest image of PM Modi government by targeting them under the pretext of false corruption cases. Earlier also character assassination of BJP Cabinet Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal was attempted alleging him as complicit in corruption. Congress and leftist ecosystem also asked for the resignation of one of the most honest and hardworking ministers of PM Modi’s cabinet based on false and made-up charges which were thoroughly debunked.
However, Piyush Goyal strongly retorted the charges made by Rahul Gandhi. Piyush goyal tweeted that he was a “kaamdaar” (worker) and not a “naamdaar” (dynast) like Rahul Gandhi.
Till 26th May 2014, before I became a Minister, I was a professional Chartered Accountant & investment banker. Unlike you, Mr @RahulGandhi, I have not learnt well the art of living without working. I am also a kaamdaar (worker) and not a naamdaar (dynast)
— Piyush Goyal (मोदी का परिवार) (@PiyushGoyal) May 1, 2018
Not just BJP ministers but the family members of BJP leaders were also not spared. Jay Shah, son of BJP President Amit Shah was hounded by the left and Congress ecosystem on the bogus and fake charges of corruption. Since the BJP government has come to power, Lutyens’ media has targeted BJP government by creating hoax outrage over made-up and fake corruption issues. They created controversy around the natural death of Judge Loya. Lutyens’ media targeted PM Modi’s government over Rafale deal, Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi, Arun Jaitley in DDCA and many other hoaxes which later on proven to be fake and in most of the cases, it’s the Congress who was responsible for the damage. But still, the Media plagued by TINA narrative held BJP responsible for all the wrong doings of their favorite masters. Each and every time it has fallen flat on their face. Congress and the leftist media tend to forget that the country is now being ruled by an honest government and not dynastic crony capitalists. If they are waiting for the ‘Bofors moment’ of this regime, they will be disappointed. Until then, their only solace lies in spreading and believing in fake news.