Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who visited the Goa Assembly on Tuesday, has said that Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has nothing to do with the new Rafale deal that was finalized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress president on Tuesday met Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at his office in Panaji to wish him recovery.

The unexpected meeting came days after the Congress claimed that Parrikar is in the possession of sensitive files related to the Rafale deal and they are stacked in his bedroom.

Even though after meeting Parrikar Gandhi tweeted that his visit was a personal one.

This morning I visited Goa CM, Manohar Parrikar, to wish him a speedy recovery. It was a personal visit.

Later this afternoon I will address Polling Booth Committee Members from all over Kerala, in Kochi. The meeting will be LIVE on my Facebook page.https://t.co/NraAer1ksf

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 29, 2019

After his Goa Assembly visit, Gandhi flew to Kerala to address Polling Booth Committee Members in Kochi.

During his address in Kochi, the Congress President claimed that the former Defence Minister had clearly stated he had nothing to do with the new deal on Rafale fighter jets.

“Friends, the ex-defence minister Mr Parrikar clearly stated that he has nothing to do with the new deal that was orchestrated by Mr Narendra Modi to benefit Anil Ambani,” news agency PTI quoted Rahul Gandhi telling booth-level party workers in Kochi in Kerala.

Gandhi, however, did not clarify whether the Rafale deal was discussed during his meet with Parrikar. The Congress in Goa had earlier said that Gandhi did not raise the Rafale issue with Parrikar.

The Congress and Rahul Gandhi have been pressing for a JPC probe in the Rafale deal.

Interestingly, during his address at Kochi, Gandhi said that thousands of young Indians who could have got high paid jobs in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have lost the opportunity.

Thousands of young Indians who could’ve got high paid jobs in HAL today have lost the opportunity. No Defence capability is going to be built in India due to Mr. Modi’s actions: Congress President @RahulGandhi #SwagathamRahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/Yr5tMHfukQ

— Congress (@INCIndia) January 29, 2019

Meanwhile, Michael Lobo, Goa Deputy Speaker, and BJP MLA, referring to Gandhi’s visit to the Assembly said, “Rahul Gandhi came on a special visit to greet our ailing CM Manohar Parrikar. His simplicity, humility has to be admired by all Indians and Goans. He is a very simple person & leaders like him are required in Goa & India.

(With PTI inputs)