‘Frustrated dynast’: Smriti Irani as Rahul Gandhi says Rafale purchase got PM Modi ticket to Bastille Day Parade

DAC has accorded approval for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighters and three additional Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines from France

Flypast of Rafale aircraft during the Bastille Day Parade in Paris, France, on July 14, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event. PTI

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 15

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the purchase of Rafale warplanes got him an invite to the Bastille Day parade in France.

In a tweet, Gandhi added that the EU discussed the Manipur issue which is an internal matter of India.

But like Modi has been totally silent on the violence taking place in Manipur, he is similarly quiet on the EU's decision to discuss Manipur.

"Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India’s internal matter. PM hasn’t said a word on either!", Gandhi said.

"Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade", Gandhi added.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accorded approval for the procurement of 26 Rafale-M fighters to operate off the aircraft carriers and three additional Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines from France as Prime Minister Narendra Modi started his France tour.

Smriti calls Rahul 'frustrated dynast'

Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani today called Rahul a “frustrated dynast” over the latter’s remarks today that Rafale purchase landed PM Modi “a ticket to Bastille Day parade”.

Irani who had defeated Gandhi in Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, hit back saying “A man who seeks international intervention in India’s internal matters, a frustrated dynast who sullies the ‘Make in India’ ambition mocks India when our PM receives a National honour. Rejected by people, he seethes as defence contracts no longer land at the doorstep of dynasty.”

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