Rafale deal: Anil Ambani issues notices to Congress leaders

After coming under heavy attack from the Congress on the contentious Rafale deal, Anil Ambani's Reliance group has sent "cease and desist" notices to a slew of Congress leaders. These include Shaktisinh Gohil, Jaipal Reddy, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Sunil Jakhar, Randeep Surjewala, Ashok Chavan, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Pawan Khera, Jaiveer Shergill, Pradyot Manikya Debbarma, etc.

The Congress leaders said that they will not buckle down and will mount an offensive across the country. "The party will carry out over 90 press conferences across the country between August 25 and September 5," said Gohil. He said that this was the second notice he was handed. The notices claim that he has caused loss to the company to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore. "I had sent a reply saying whatever has been stated is on the basis of documents in public domain. The notices show that the PM is worried and is now getting back at the Congress by serving such notices," said Gohil.

Shergill said that he had every right to know where the taxpayer's money has gone. "The fact that Anil Ambani sent us a notice shows that there is something fishy in the Rafale deal," he said.

Recently, Ambani had written a letter to Congress president Rahul Gandhi telling him that he was "misinformed, misdirected and misled" by "malicious vested interests and corporate rivals" on the issue.

WHAT THE NOTICE SAYS

"As a cautionary measure, our clients strongly urge you to avoid, cease and desist from making any unverified, speculative, incorrect, false, frivolous, misleading derogatory and defamatory statements against them on such a sensitive subject relating to national security."