New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking why he is not ready for Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe on Rs. 59,000 crore Rafale jet deal. 

In a tweet, Mr. Gandhi criticized the Modi government for its reluctance to order JPC probe. Further, Mr. Gandhi provided an answer with a marking percentage stating that “ guilt conscience,” “friends, too used need to protect,” “JPC doesn’t need a Rajya Sabha seat,” and all options are right, he tweeted. 

The controversy erupted following the appointment of the French judge to probe the multi-crore defense deal of Dassault, a French defence company with the Indian Air Force. 

Read Rafale investigation: Congress digs at Modi govt

On Saturday, Congress has demanded JPC probe into the alleged investigation after the French news website Mediapart reported that the French judge had been appointed to probe a ‘highly sensitive judicial probe of corruption and favoritism’ in Rafale deal with India. 

In a mocking tweet, Mr. Gandhi stated that the Prime Minister Modi government is hesitant to order JPC probe of alleged defence deal. 

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said that the Rafale deal was an inter-governmental between India and France. France has ordered for probe; however, the Indian government is yet to comment, he said in the press conference. 

Mr. Khera said that it has been clear that the Rafale deal has brought an item that costs Rs. 570 crore at Rs. 1,670 crore. Congress spokesperson alleged that the middlemen were involved in the case, but the Indian government is trying to hush up the matter. In April, the Enforcement Directorate has arrested the middlemen in another case, that time documents pertaining to the Rafale deal was seized from him, but ED has sat idle on the case, Mr. Khera said. 

On the other hand, BJP has countered Congress stating that it tells “lies.” “Mr. Rahul Gandhi being used by competing companies in this case. He is acting as an agent or some member of Gandhi family”, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged. 

He also cited the Supreme Court's verdict, which dismissed the petition seeking a probe into the matter. Court has stated that nothing wrong was done in defence deal between India and France.