CPM demands SIT probe in Rafale deal

The CPM on Thursday demanded a court-monitored special investigation team (SIT) into the Rafale deal, saying it is "not just a mega scam" but one that has "negative" impact on country's security.

The party also demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the demonetisation exercise, claiming that there was a need to know who were the "beneficiaries" as the economy has not benefited from it.

Addressing a press conference here, CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said, "nothing less than a Supreme Court-monitored SIT probe can bring out the truth and fix accountability" in the Rafale scam.

He said it was not just a mega scam but it also has "direct negative impact" on India's security and defence preparedness. "For the first time we are learning there is no sovereign guarantee in the Rafale deal. It's not just economics but a grave threat to India's security," he said.

Asked whether the CPM is going back on its demand for a JPC on Rafale scam, he said his party was not going back on the demand. "So far the government has not agreed to it. That itself tells you they are accepting the wrongdoing. There are various agencies involved. As the matter is now before the court, it should order a probe," he said.

The refusal of the government to a JPC enquiry into the Rafale deal and even rejecting the CAG studying the deal before 2023 is also an instance of undermining the independence of yet another constitutional entity, he said.

On demonetisation, Yechury said his party MPs would raise the demand for a JPC in the issue.

"The RBI itself has now said that demonetisation had nothing to do with the objectives declared by the Prime Minister. It is very clear that demonetisation ruined our economy. We want to know who benefited from it," Yechury said.