Former French president Francois Hollande's comment that the Indian government had proposed Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as the India partner in the Rafale jet deal giving no choice has created a political controversy in the country.

The Congress took to Twitter to slam Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) claims on the Reliance-Dassault tie-up, calling them a “web of lies”.

Former President of France François Hollande exposes the web of lies spun by the Modi Govt. The Modi Govt compelled Dassault to tie up with the Reliance group.https://t.co/lXdYIL0VAr#ModiRafaleLiesExposed pic.twitter.com/DLyvGjNAeD

— Congress (@INCIndia) September 21, 2018

This is what senior advocate Prashant Bhushan had to say.

This is explosive! Former French President Hollande, with whom Modi signed the new deal for 36 Rafale planes, says that the French & Dassault had no say in selecting Ambani as the partner (commission agent?) For the deal! Was recommended by Modi. Is this also secret Modiji? https://t.co/wFXU8K7K7n

— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) September 21, 2018

In the meantime, the Principal Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence, Government of India tweeted that neither Indian nor French government had any role to play in the commercial decision.

The report referring to  fmr French president Mr. Hollande's statement that GOI insisted upon a particular firm as offset partner for the Dassault Aviation in Rafale is being verified.
It is reiterated that neither GoI nor French Govt had any say in the commercial decision.

— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) September 21, 2018

Rahul Gandhi, who has been attacking the BJP Govt over the Rafale deal from long time, got yet another opportunity to slam the Modi government. Rahul took to twitter saying “The PM personally negotiated & changed the #Rafale deal behind closed doors. Thanks to François Hollande, we now know he personally delivered a deal worth billions of dollars to a bankrupt Anil Ambani.

The PM has betrayed India. He has dishonoured the blood of our soldiers.”

The PM personally negotiated & changed the #Rafale deal behind closed doors. Thanks to François Hollande, we now know he personally delivered a deal worth billions of dollars to a bankrupt Anil Ambani.

The PM has betrayed India. He has dishonoured the blood of our soldiers.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 21, 2018