Slugfest over Rafale in LS: Rahul, Jaitley clash over leaked audio clip

Jaitley also whipped out a dialogue from a James Bond film to accuse Gandhi of peddling “lies” and “falsehood” in the Lok Sabha after the Congress president made an attempt to play the unverified audio tape purportedly of the minister Vishwajit Rane telling an unidentified person regarding the alleged claim by Parrikar at a Cabinet meeting last week.

Launching a blistering attack on the government, Gandhi targeted Modi saying he “does not have guts” to face questions in Parliament. He also alleged that Parrikar is “blackmailing” the Prime Minister. The Congress, earlier in the day demanded answers from Modi on Parrikar’s purported claim and asked if this was the reason why a JPC probe was not being ordered.

As tempers ran high in the Lok Sabha, Jaitley said the tape is “false and fabricated”, asking the Congress president if he can authenticate it. He also asserted that Gandhi may have to face privilege motion and even expulsion in case the tape turns out to be fabricated.

Jaitley also launched a counter-offensive as he referred to alleged defence scams during the Congress rule and said “conspirators” of past defence scams had the “audacity” to target the Modi dispensation. He also ruled out a JPC probe- a demand made by most opposition leaders, including Gandhi- saying there was no need for it as the SC has already satisfied its “conscience” on the issue.