Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday described the controversial Rafale deal as the "father of Bofors" and said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's importance in the country's politics had increased after repeatedly speaking against the deal.
In an article in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', Raut said those who accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's relatives of receiving kickbacks worth Rs 65 crore in the Bofors deal were in power now. "Today, they are accused of pocketing Rs 700 crore in the Rafale jet deal. Rafale is the father of Bofors."
Raut termed it laughable the BJP's allegations that Gandhi's criticism of the deal was akin to "speaking in the words of Pakistan and helping" the neighbouring country. "The same allegations were levelled against the Congress during the Bofors deal (in late 1980s). Was it then not helping Pakistan? Those in power term Bofors a scandal... However, they are not ready to believe Rafale is also a scam."