BJP can't afford to ignore call for jpc probe into rafale: Sharad Pawar

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar predicted that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (NCP) couldn’t afford to ignore the demand of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale deal. He said that the BJP had itself demanded JPC probe in the Bofors scandal and that it was accepted then. He also spoke about the Opposition’s efforts to meet in the next fifteen days over the demand for the use of ballot paper in elections.

Talking to the media on Friday in Mumbai, the veteran politician specifically said that the demand for a JPC probe into the Rafale deal would be made continuously.

“At that time, the Houses were forced to adjourn for three weeks over the demand for a JPC in the Bofors purchase. These same people had made this demand and later it was accepted. So, similarly, this time, a JPC is being demanded to probe the Rafale deal. This government can’t afford to delay the acce-ptance of that dema-nd,” said Mr Pawar.

The NCP chief also commented on the sudden visit of defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman to France. He said, “Have you ever heard that France was our most important defence or strategic partner before this?” He also opined that (the details of the) the Rafale controversy are taking root in people’s mind.

Asked about his objections on electronic voting machines, Mr Pawar said, “Opposi-tion parties are likely to meet in the next fifteen days to discuss the issue. There are objections to EVMs. We want to return to the use of ballot paper. The VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail) option is also there but also there are some reservations about it.”

The veteran politician also observed that the alliance between the Shiv Sena and BJP would continue for the next election. “Whate-ver the Sena is speaking can be taken as pressure tactics. But eventually they will come together,” said Mr Pawar.