New Delhi, Feb 7 (Agency) The Congress on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the latter took a swipe at the grand old party over the ‘Rafale deal’ , and accused him of “lying”. “With upcoming Karnataka elections, PM Modi is doing what he does best- Lying. He claims HAL was used by Congress to target him,” Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh wrote in a tweet.He added, “Truth is, the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Rafale deal ensured HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) manufactures 108 jets with transfer of technology, but Modi ‘bypassed’ HAL and simply bought 36 jets from France.
“The PM after inaugurating the HAL helicopter factory in Gubbi Taluk of Tumakuru district in Karnataka in his address said , “Today , this helicopter factory of HAL, the growing power of HAL is exposing many old lies. This is the HAL which has been used as an excuse to level various false allegations against our government.” “This is the HAL whose name, conspiracies were hatched to provoke people. But no matter how big the lie is , it definately loses one day in front of the truth,” Modi said in an apparent reference to former Congress president and MP Rahul Gandhi, who had attacked the ruling BJP few years backs over the ‘Rafale deal ‘, alleging corruption.