Shivraj Singh Chouhan demands apology from Rahul Gandhi on Rafale deal

Outgoing Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday for trying to "defame the nation" over the Rafale deal and demanded an apology from him. "The Congress made mountain out of a molehill and tried to defame the nation.

Those who have tried to malign the country's image should apologise to the people," Chouhan told reporters at the BJP office here. "I wanted to ask the Congress president what was his source of information. He is morally bound to reveal it, and at whose behest he is levelling these allegations," Chouhan said.

The Congress president used derogatory words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was highly condemnable, he said. Today's decision of the Supreme Court has made it clear that truth always wins, Chouhan said. Everybody knows that during Congress rule middlemen played a major role in defence deals, while the Modi the government ended this, he said.

The Supreme Court earlier Friday dismissed the pleas challenging the deal for procurement of 36 Rafale jets, saying there was no occasion to "really doubt the decision making the process" warranting setting aside of the contract. Asked about the BJP's defeat in Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, Chouhan said it was entirely his responsibility.