Now, Hazare joins Oppn chorus on Rafale deal

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 21

Noted social activist Anna Hazare on Monday raised question on the Rafale jet deal while announcing he would lead a country-wide indefinite hunger strike from his native Ralegaon Sidhi village in Maharashtra for the acceptance of five demands, including appointment of Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta in states-anti corruption authorities, and remunerative MSP for agriculture produce, from January 30.

Hazare joining the Opposition chorus on Rafale and upping the ante on farmers issues is bound to pile up worries of the Narendra Modi government, which is gearing up for the coming General Election.

Farmers’ organisations will simultaneously sit on fast-unto-death agitation at state capitals expressing solidarity with Hazare. It will be jointly staged by Hazare and “Rashtriya Kisan Mahasangh” — a conglomeration of 108 farmers’ organisation spread across the country.

“Prima facie, the controversy related to the deal has a basis on account of Indian businessman Ambani given contract… how can you give a contract to a company of Ambani which was formed only a month before, and which had no experience in the trade? 

“I have been provided documents related to the Rafale deal. I will study the details and ascertain if there is merit in the allegation of corruption. Thereafter, I will come out with my views in public soon,” he said, declining to reveal the source of the documents. He evaded a specific question on the SC giving the government a clean chit on Rafale.