Rahul Gandhi makes U-turn on Manohar Parrikar and Rafale

Weeks after claiming that Goa CM Manohar Parrikar has files related to Rafale deal in his bedroom, the Congress party now appears to have taken a U-turn on the whole issue. On Tuesday, while addressing party workers and leaders in Kochi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said that former Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar told him that he has nothing to do with the “new deal orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi”. According to PTI, Rahul Gandhi said, “Friends, ex-defence minister Mr Parrikar clearly stated that he has nothing to do with the new deal that was orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi to benefit Anil Ambani.”

His remarks came after he met Manohar Parrikar at the Goa Assembly complex. After meeting he tweeted, “This morning I visited Goa CM, Manohar Parrikar, to wish him a speedy recovery. It was a personal visit.”

On Monday, Rahul Gandhi tweeted claiming, “It’s obvious that the tapes are authentic & that Goa CM, Parrikar, is in possession of explosive Rafale secrets, that give him power over the PM.”

Now, Rahul Gandhi not only seems to be contradicting himself but is also found using an honest, hardworking leader for cheap political gains.

Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi for politicising his visit to Manohar Parrikar, Goa Minister Mauvin Godinho told ANI, “When you come to inquire about someone’s health then it should be limited to that, no politics should be played, if big leaders start doing this then its wrong.”

Earlier in the month, the Congress had released an audio clip of Goa’s health minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane regarding the Rafale deal case and claimed that Goa CM Manohar Parrikar had files related to Rafale deal in his bedroom. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala quoted Rane as saying, “The chief minister made a very interesting statement, that I have all the information of Rafale in my bedroom….that’s means he is holding them to ransom. He said it is in my bedroom here only in my flat, each and every document on Rafale.”

However, there was no confirmation on whether it was Rane’s voice in the audio tape. The identity of the other person was also not known. Moreover, Rahul Gandhi was hell bent upon playing that very unverified recording in the Parliament during the Winter Session. However, Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan didn’t allow that to happen and asked Rahul to “Authenticate the tapes and the transcription.” Finally, Rahul Gandhi backed off from playing the tape in the Lok Sabha following which Union Minister Arun Jaitley said, “Because he can’t authenticate hence he is now saying will not play the tape. He is lying. If he can authenticates it then come and play the tape.”

The entire BJP rubbished the tapes including the Goa minister in question. Vishwajit Rane had claimed that the tape released by the Congress party is doctored. He said, “The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication b/w cabinet & CM. Mr Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. Have asked him for a criminal investigation into this.”

For more details: Congress’ lies on Rafale deal and CM Parrikar comprehensively demolished