Will Rafale boost IAF or rescue Ambani: Sena

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, February 9

Continuing its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, the Shiv Sena wondered why he took personal interest in the negotiations.

An editorial in party mouthpiece “Saamna” said, “Modi will have to reply to the questions posed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi as these queries are in the minds of citizens as well. There is now documentary proof that the Prime Minister took a personal interest in the Rafale deal. Our Modi was personally making the deal keeping the Defence Minister and the Defence Secretary in the dark. Was this deal meant to empower the Indian Air Force or for rescuing a bankrupt industrialist?”

The edit went on to say that Modi was facing criticism from the opposition because all decisions on the Rafale deal were taken by the Prime Minister himself.

“Rahul Gandhi’s slogan ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’.... is being repeated all over the country with various secrets of the Rafale deal coming out in the open,” Saamna added.

The newspaper also hit out at the BJP for labelling anyone questioning the deal as “anti-national”. “Those who support the deal are patriots, but those who are questioning the deal are anti-national. Why is this so?” the editorial asked.

The BJP leaders today felt that the Shiv Sena’s latest attack on Modi would make it more difficult for both parties to stitch up an alliance for the LS elections.