BJP-Congress Showdown Over Rafale Deal: Will Corruption Be Narrative Of 2019 Campaign?

Summary: As the Congress and BJP face off, the Defence Minister boldly declares the Rafale deal will bring Narendra Modi back as prime minister. Ms Sitharaman spoke for over two hours in Lok Sabha replying to the Rafale debate, detailing the centre's response on the pricing and process of acquiring the 36 jets from France. But the exchange with Rahul Gandhi often turned bitter as Nirmala Sitharaman raked up Bofors, and AgustaWestland. Rahul Gnadhi, however, stuck to his charge that Anil Ambani had stolen Rs 30,000 crore and that it was the Prime Minister who helped him. Is corruption going to be the central theme of the 2019 campaign?