Rahul's regret a 'convenient argument': Sitharaman

After Rahul Gandhi regretted before the Supreme Court for having attributed his Rafale comments to the top court, Defence minister and senior BJP leader Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday hit out at the Congress president, saying his credibility as a politician has taken “a serious beating” at a time when the Lok Sabha elections are underway.

She accused the Congress president of “repeatedly” making false claims and accusations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi with regard to the Rafale fighter jet deal, saying Gandhi expressed regret before the Supreme Court for his comments “only to escape the wrath of the apex court.”

“He has just made a politically convenient argument to escape the wrath of the court. The matter is still subjudice. But, Gandhi's credibility has taken a serious beating (after he regretted for his comments before the court). I feel sorry for that,” she said while addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters.

Rahul's affidavit

Expressing regret for his comments, Gandhi told the apex court in his affidavit that those were made in "rhetorical flourish in Hindi in the heat of hectic political campaigning on the basis of general perception, without having seen, read or analysed the judgement".

He also undertook that he will not attribute any views, observations or findings to the court in political addresses to the media and in public speeches, unless such views, observations or findings are recorded by the court.

Rahul had to file the affidavit in response to the contempt petition filed by BJP Leader Meenakshi Lekhi with regard to Rahul's comment in a rally in Amethi that “the Supreme Court has said – Chowkidar Narendra Modi was a thief.” These comments had come while the Rafale deal issue is still pending in the court.