Stepping up his attack on the Modi government over the Rafale deal, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday, said defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman lied in parliament.


Speaking to reporters outside Parliament this morning, the Congress president said, "Today, Nirmala Sitharaman lied in parliament. I'm again requesting the Defence minister and PM Modi to answer "did Air Force and Defence ministry senior officers object to your interference in Rafale deal?" Please answer in a "Yes or No."


"Defence Minister had earlier said that Rs 1 lakh crore was given to HAL, we challenged that, and today she said that Rs 26,570.80 crore were given to HAL, Nirmala Sitharamanji lied in the Parliament." 


Rahul earlier, said that the government was weakening state-run aerospace major HAL and destroying India's strategic capability to benefit businessman Anil Ambani.


He also alleged that while the government gave Rs 20,000 crore to Dassault Aviation, the makers of Rafale jets, even though it has not supplied a single aircraft.


"But, why HAL's dues of Rs 15,700 crore have not been cleared," Rahul asked. He was speaking to reporters outside Parliament. "The strategy of the government is -- weaken HAL, do not give it money, destroy India's strategic capability and give 'gift' to Anil Ambani," Gandhi alleged. The government as well as Ambani have rejected all such allegations. Asserting that the Congress will protect the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), he alleged, "we are not going to allow Rs 30,000 crores of people's money to be taken by Anil Ambani because he is Narendra Modi's friend."


Gandhi further said, "Give me 15 minutes with PM Modi for a debate on Rafale, the country will know the truth."