Launching a tirade against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government, Congress has demanded Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale deal.

While addressing mediapersons on Friday, former Congress minister Kaul Singh Thakur demanded investigation by JPC into the Rafale deal. He questioned the need for changing the system that had been employed during the previous UPA government for the purchase of fighter aircraft.

He said that the PM should reveal to the public why there was a need to change the system and sidelining Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to benefit a private company that jacked up the cost of aircraft threefold.

The reality of Rafale deal of Rs 60,145 crore is that purchase of the aircraft led a loss to government treasury, he claimed, adding that the Modi government gave the contract to a private company ~Reliance Defence Limited ~ which did not have any experience in construction of fighter aircrafts.

Thakur said that two senior BJP’s senior leaders had raised questions on Modi compromising with national security. He further sought to know why the Modi-led government was showering special favour to Anil Ambani and his company.

The prices of petrol and diesel were witnessing continuous rise since last 22 days, he said while holding the Modi government responsible for levying taxes that made an essential commodity go virtually out of reach of the common man.

The fuel prices have surged record high, he said, adding that petrol and diesel prices have shot over Rs 80 and Rs 73 respectively.

He urged the Central government to control the sky rocketing prices of the petroleum products. Emphasising the need to open up a front against the Central government, he said that it is high time that the Modi government should wake up from the slumber so as to ensure that they are sensitive to the concerns of the common man.

Thakur said that 21 political parties had supported the nationwide shut down called by the Congress on 10 September, which was a success.

“Modi should resign on Rafale deal and for having failed to fulfil the promises he made to the public ahead of the Lok Sabha elections that include providing employment to the youth, bringing back black money from Swiss back and eradicating corruption,” he said.

The fleeing of defaulters like Nirav Modi, Vijaya Mallya and Mehul Choksi is the result of failure of Modi to protect the interest of the country and the banks,” he charged.

Blaming BJP led government in the state for deteriorating law and order situation in Himachal, he charged that the law and order situation in HP has totally collapsed.

He urged the CM Jai Ram Thakur to take up the issue with the Centre to reduce VAT on petrol and Diesel so that the common man in the state is not forced to face the burden of increase in bus fares in the state, as the private bus operators have been demanding hike in bus fares.