Rahul Gandhi walked into the office of Manohar Parrikar in Goa on Tuesday, a day after tweeting about “explosive Rafale secrets that gave the Goa Chief Minister power over the PM”. The Congress president has been asking for an inquiry into audio tapes that he says reveal that Manohar Parrikar has files on the Rafale jet deal and so has leverage over his leadership.
Rahul Gandhi called it a “personal visit” and tweeted: “This morning I visited Goa CM, Manohar Parrikar, to wish him a speedy recovery.” The Congress in Goa said their chief – contrary to speculation — did not raise the Rafale deal with the Chief Minister, who has been extremely unwell over the past few months with a pancreatic condition.
“It was a private visit. That issue (Rafale deal) was not discussed. Rahul Gandhi could make an official trip to Goa next month,” Congress legislator Chandrakant Kavlekar was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
On Monday, the Congress chief flew down to Chattisgarh for a rally before returning to Goa. After meeting Mr Parrikar, Rahul Gandhi dashed to Kochi.
The BJP in Goa said the Congress should “learn a lesson” from its chief. “It is very nice of him to do so. It should teach a lesson to the local unit of the Congress which has been troubling Mr Parrikar. He dropped in to just ask about his health,” BJP leader Vijay Sardesai said.
Yesterday, Mr Gandhi put out a series of tweets raising the Rafale deal and the so-called Manohar Parrikar audio tapes.
“Thirty days since the Goa audio tapes on Rafale were released. No FIR or enquiry ordered. No action against (Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane) either,” said Mr Gandhi.
“It’s obvious that the tapes are authentic and that Goa CM Parrikar is in possession of explosive Rafale secrets that give him power over the PM (Prime Minister),” he tweeted.
Rahul Gandhi
✔@RahulGandhi
30 days since the Goa Audio Tapes on RAFALE were released. No FIR or enquiry ordered. No action against the Minister either!
It’s obvious that the tapes are authentic & that Goa CM, Parrikar, is in possession of explosive RAFALE secrets, that give him power over the PM.
ANI
✔@ANI
Goa Min Vishwajit P Rane: The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication b/w cabinet&CM. Mr Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. Have asked him for a criminal investigation into this.
