A “comprehensive inquiry” will be ordered into the Rafale deal after the Congress comes to power at the Centre, senior party leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said. He indicated that a criminal probe could be conducted into the multi-billion dollar contract.
The role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, other government functionaries and private people will be probed, he said. He exuded confidence that a Congress-led government will be formed after the election results are out.
“In three States – Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh – the loan waivers were taken care of within 72 hours from the day we came to power. Similarly, a “comprehensive inquiry” will be ordered. We have, in fact, asked for a JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee) investigation.... However, strictly speaking, even an FIR and a criminal inquiry is not out of place,” he told PTI in an interview.
Asked if the Rafale issue has struck a chord with the people on the ground, Mr. Singhvi said one would have to wait and watch for it but he was confident that people do feel “cheated”.
“I have no doubt that somewhere in the psyche of the people it is embedded that everything about the deal seems to be fishy,” he said.
The Congress has alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal and claimed that Prime Minister Modi, Union Ministers as well as private players were complicit in the “scam”.
However, the government has dismissed the allegations of any wrongdoing in the deal with France for 36 Rafale fighter jets.
On the issue of Election Commission’s alleged inaction and delay in ruling on complaints of Model code violations by Mr. Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, Mr. Singhvi said the Congress has made 10 representations to the EC from April 1.
On whether the Congress felt that ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ with respect to its petitions, the former Union minister said: “Four phases are over, less than 200 seats are left. I have told the EC that the damage which had to be done is done. You cannot press the rewind button on this one, but at least take action now,” he said.
The order should be of banning them from campaigning for 72 hours, 52 hours or 96 hours, he said, adding that the penalty must be much worse, but “when there is no action even this looks much better”.
Asked if the country has seen the most vicious campaign this election with so many complaints to the EC, he said the quantum of complaints increase when egregious violations increase.
“So far, no Prime Minister has gone to the extent of egregious, repetitive, wanton violations,” he said.
Mr. Singhvi asserted that as the “mega policeman”, the EC has not discharged its duty with respect to PM Modi and the BJP president.
Mr. Singhvi also alleged that there is no doubt that there had been a weakening of venerable institutions, from the RBI to the CBI to bureaucratic appointments and other institutions, saying ultimately it is the men who make the institutions.
