AGARTALA, Sep 20 (TIWN): Modi Govt's biggest ever alleged scam under Defence Ministry at the cost of Rs. 58,000 crores ‘Rafale Deal’ scam has strengthen opposition Congress's base ahead of Lok Sabha Election. Tripura Congress led by Youtha Congress has kicked off a protest rally at Agartala with thousands of agitators raising slogans against Modi Govt on Rafale scam. The protest rally started from Post Office Chouwmuhani and after walking across the city, the agitators reached at Raj Bhawan to place a deputation to the Governor of Tripura Kaptan Singh Solanki. Addressing media during protest Congress President Birjit Sinha said that Rafale has been the biggest ever scam held ever in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“When Rahul Gandhi asked, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman about the price, the Defence Minister said for the security issues the planes’ costs can not be said. She (Sitaraman) also said, in 2008’s deal it was written that no specific data can be given in Lok Sabha whereas in 2008 Congress Govt itself did the deal when was in power”, Sinha said.All India Youth Congress President Keshav Chand Jadav, Vice President BV Srinibash also joined the programme.

“The Rafale-scam was exposed by Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament and certain questions were asked regarding the Rafale-deal with French Govt, but till day the Defence Minister couldn’t clarify the Rafale-deal related questions to save Modi and Ambani”, Birjit Sinha told media here.

On the background of the protest, Assam Congress leader Sushmita Deb on August 31st while addressing media here in Agartala said, “The Rafale-scam was exposed by Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament and certain questions were asked regarding the Rafale-deal with French Govt, but till day the Defence Minister couldn’t clarify the Rafale-deal related questions”. “Anil Ambani who had been the chairman of Reliance Group told Congress leaders recently if any wrong data about Reliance company is placed in the press meets, then his lawyer will file cases against us. But we have data. 10th April 2015 PM Modi announced that he made a deal with French Govt on Rafale plane and 36 planes were reserved in this deal. But what surprising matter is that during UPA Govt’s time 12 Dec, 2012, total 126 planes were negotiated at the cost of Rs. 526.10 crores (per plane), whereas Modi’s deal costs Rs. 1670.70 crores (per plane)”, Dev said.

“From 2012 to 2015 how the price increased three times ?? But after the deal PM Modi announced that the figure of the cost are same as 2012”, Sushmita Dev added.

“When Rahul Gandhi asked, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman about the price, the Defence Minister said said for the security issues the planes’ costs can not be said. She (Sitaraman) also said, in 2008’s deal it was written that no specific data can be given in Lok Sabha whereas in 2008 Congress Govt itself did the deal when was in power”, she said.

“But in Congress’s era when asked about Sukhoi aircraft’s prices, Congress replied to the opposition’s questions in the parliament. But today Nirmala Sitaraman is saving PM Modi from the exposure of that scam and thus not telling the Lok Sabha about Rafale’s price. Price is not confidential issue, has no link with safety of country”, she added.

Showing data further Sushmita Dev claimed, the scam was done to fill the pockets of Ambani.

"Anil Ambani has Rs. 45,000 crore debt. He formed the company 10 days before the deal. In his letter, Mr Ambani said all 36 Rafale jets will be manufactured in France and exported. Not a single component" will be manufactured by Reliance”.

Dev further criticized the Modi Govt based on demonetization.