Stay out of Rafale deal: Chidambaram to Army, Air force

A day after Air Force Chief, BS Dhanoa hailed Supreme Court verdict on Rafale jet deal, senior Congress leader, P Chidambaram urged Army and Air Force to stay out of the debate.

"We are not questioning the Air Force Chief, we are humbly requesting the Army and Air Force to stay out of this debate as no one is doubting the capability of the aircraft."

"Questions are being raised on the deal," Chidambaram added.

Yesterday, Air Force Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on Rafale jet deal and said that Indian Air Force needs the fighter jets aircraft badly.

Addressing the media in Jodhpur, Dhanoa said that "the Supreme Court has given a very fine judgment and I am not going to comment on it. It has also said that this plane is badly needed. rafale is always a need for the Air Force. It took a long time to come. Others have upgraded their squadron. Also, very fine comments given by the Finance Minister and our Defence Minister."

The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last few months. 

The Congress has alleged irregularities in the deal for 36 aircraft and claimed that the Narendra Modi government is buying them at a price much higher than the one that was being negotiated by the previous government.

Last week, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking a probe into the Rafale deal.