Chief Executive Officer of Dassault Aviation, the company responsible for manufacturing Rafale Jets rejected allegations made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi that he was protecting Narendra Modi for possible corruption in Rafale deal between France and India saying he does not lie.
Gandhi had alleged that Dassault invested Rs 284 crore in a loss-making company promoted by Anil Ambani which was used to procure land in Nagpur. “It is clear the Dassault CEO is lying. If an inquiry starts on this Modi is not going to survive it. Guaranteed,” added Gandhi.
“I don’t have a reputation of lying. In my position as CEO, you don’t lie,” Trappier hit back in the interview. The Dassault CEO also said that his company is supplying fighters to Indian Air Force and Indian government and not working for any party.
Dassault Chief was answering to questions asked in an interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash. He told that he had chosen Reliance as an offset partner independently and nobody was behind our decision. He said that it was not politically motivated.
#WATCH: ANI editor Smita Prakash interviews CEO Eric Trappier at the Dassault aviation hangar in Istre- Le Tube air… https://t.co/0igomqmE2i
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018
Congress party hit back at Dassault Chief and asked if he does not lie then why he had stated on 26 March 2015 that Dassault and HAL had almost finalised the agreement in presence of the then Indian Air Force chief Arup Raha and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Chief.
“I would like to ask Mr Eric Trappier. Why did he make this statement on 26 March 2015 in presence of the then Indian Air Force chief Arup Raha & Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chief announcing that Dassault & HAL have almost finalised the agreement,” Anand Sharma, Congress told the media.
I would like to ask Mr Eric Trappier. Why did he make this statement on 26 March 2015 in presence of the then Indian Air Force chief Arup Raha & Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chief announcing that Dassault & HAL have almost finalised the agreement: Anand Sharma, Congress pic.twitter.com/22s5GDxdEv
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018
He further asked if there was a work share agreement finalised between Dassault and HAL, how come the offset partner changed? Which statement of Trappier should be assumed as correct, he asked Trappier to clarify.
“Eric Trappier had said on record that there is a work share agreement finalised between Dassault and HAL. So which of his statement is correct? He has to clarify now,” ANI quoted Anand Sharma as saying.
Eric Trappier had said on record that there is a work share agreement finalised between Dassault and HAL. So which of his statement is correct? He has to clarify now: Anand Sharma Congress #Rafale pic.twitter.com/QEgxiO5hTT
— ANI (@ANI) November 13, 2018
