‘Distressed You Used Our Meeting For Petty Political Gains’: Parrikar Calls Out Rahul Gandhi’s Rafale Allegations

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday (30 January) wrote a letter to Congress President Rahul Gandhi wherein he lamented how the latter used their meeting for petty political gains, reports ANI.

This comes following Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that he had been told by Parrikar that he (Parrikar) was not involved in the NDA government’s Rafale deal.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier alleged during a meeting in Kochi that, “Friends, the ex-Defence Minister Mr Parrikar clearly stated that he has nothing to do with the new deal (Rafale) that was orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi to benefit Anil Ambani”, reported in The Hindu.

Following the controversy, Parrikar has issued a communication slamming Gandhi for his ‘false statement’ and has clarified that their conversation never even broached the topic of the Rafale deal.

In his statement Parrikar recounts how the Congress president had requested to meet him without any prior intimation, ostensibly to inquire about his health. He mentions how distressed he has been over claims floating around the media about the alleged remarks he made on the Rafale deal.

“I feel let down that you have used this visit for your petty political gains. In the 05 minutes you spent with me, neither did you mention anything about Rafale, nor did we discuss anything about/related to it Nothing whatsoever about Rafale was even mentioned in your meeting with me,” the letter reads.

Parrikar added that the Rafale deal had been concluded following all standard defence procurement procedures.

The letter asks Rahul Gandhi to come out with the truth of what happened. “Kindly do not use your visit to an ailing person to feed political opportunism,” it implores.

Here’s the full transcript of Manohar Parrikar’s letter:

Yesterday i.e. on 29th January 2019, without any prior information, you called on me and enquired me about my health condition. We have a healthy political tradition in India to rise above bipartisan considerations and with even opponents a quick recovery from any ailments. I received your visit in that spirit fighting as I am with good medical care, a severe ailment. I appreciate your kind gesture.

However, reading media reports covering your visit to my office has caused me distress. It is reported in the media today that you have said quoting me that I was nowhere in the process of procuring Rafale nor did I have any information then about it. I feel let down that you have your petty political gains. In the 05 minutes you spent with me, neither did you mention anything about Rafale, nor did we discuss anything about/related to it. Nothing whatsoever about Rafale was even mentioned in your meeting with me.

The Inter Government Agreement (IGA) and the procurement of Rafale are as per Defence Procurement Procedure. I have said this before and wish to reiterate it again in today's context too. The fighter aircraft are procured following all stated procedures keeping national security as top priority.

Paying a courtesy visit and then stooping so low as to make a false statement for petty political gain has raised, in my mind, questions about the sincerity and purpose of your visit itself.

Here am I fighting a life-threatening illness. Due to my training and ideological strength, I wish to serve Goa and its people against any/all odds.

I thought your visit would give me your good wishes in that cause of serving our people. Little did I know that you had other intentions.

With deep disappointment, I write to you hoping that you would put out the truth. Kindly do not use your visit to an ailing person to feed political opportunism.

I remain in the service of the people of Goa and India.