IAF chief "lying" over Rafale deal, says Veerappa Moily
Hyderabad, Dec 20: Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily Thursday accused Indian Air Force chief B S Dhanoa of "lying" a day after the latter called the Rafale deal a "game changer" and the Supreme Court verdict on it a "very fine" judgement.
He also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise for having sacrificed the security of the nation by entering into the deal.
Moily said the IAF chief along with the head of Dassault Aviation, the manufacturers of Rafale fighter jets, had visited public sector HAL's Bengaluru headquarters days before the Paris agreement and found it a "competent body with necessary expertise".
"Today, to say it is fine (the SC judgement)...I think that IAF chief is not fine....he is not fine, he is lying. He is suppressing the truth. He is a party to suppressing the truth," Moily told reporters here.
Later, talking to a TV news channel, Moily said, "Apology has to be given by Narendra Modi for having sacrificed the security of the nation, having sacrificed the exchequer."
He said Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who has been assailing the prime minister over the deal, need not apologise for the "bold stand" he has taken on the "scam of the century". Instead, Gandhi should be appreciated, he said.
The BJP has been demanding an apology from Gandhi for attacking Modi over the Rafale deal even after the Supreme Court's verdict which found no wrongdoing in it.
"Even the words expressed by the Supreme Court you have heard is based on falsehood and web of lies made by the government of India," he said.
Moily said Modi gave a "certificate of incompetency" to HAL.
Dhanoa had on Wednesday hailed the SC order and deprecated attempts at politicising defence purchases, suggesting that this had earlier led to the delay in the Army acquiring the Bofors gun.
"I am not going to comment on the judgment but the Supreme Court has given a very fine judgment. It has also said that this plane is badly needed," he had told reporters in Jodhpur.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Pranavananda Swamiji urges Cong to make Shivakumar Karnataka CM
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) (PTI): Pranavananda Swamiji, president of the forum of heads of the most backward class maths, urged the Congress high command on Sunday to immediately appoint Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar as the CM of Karnataka.
Warning that the Congress would face “consequences” if Shivakumar is not made CM, he said a group of 25 swamijis plans to visit New Delhi to present the demand to the party high command.
Earlier in the day, Shivakumar said that both he and CM Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision taken by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.
The remarks come amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, when the results of assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
“The CM chair issue is ongoing in the state. As president of the Mahasabha of swamijis of the most backward class maths in the state, I demand that D K Shivakumar be made CM immediately. It has been about three years since this government came to power, and several timelines have been set, such as Sankranti, Ugadi, and the five-state elections,” Pranavananda Swamiji said.
Speaking to reporters, he said the situation appears to be “insulting” to Shivakumar.
“Shivakumar took over as KPCC president when no one was willing to accept the post and brought the party to power. He was promised the CM post in the presence of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary K C Venugopal. Now, why is the party hesitating to fulfil that promise? This is not right,” he said.
Swamiji said he was not denying that Siddaramaiah is a “big leader” of backward communities, but added that Siddaramaiah has already served as CM for about eight years, including five years in his first term.
“We cannot say that backward classes have received significant benefits. Even the recent state budget did not do much for backward class communities,” he said, alleging that these communities have not significantly benefited under Siddaramaiah.
Urging the Congress high command to immediately make Shivakumar the CM, Pranavananda Swamiji warned that otherwise the party would face “serious consequences” in the state.
He said the Mahasabha of swamijis will meet Shivakumar and, after discussions, about 25 swamijis will travel to Delhi.
“Shivakumar’s contribution to most backward communities is immense. He has been an MLA about eight times and a minister several times. Why is he not being given the CM post? He has worked for the party and deserves recognition—this is my demand to the Congress high command,” he added.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by reports of a “power-sharing” arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
