The Congress will step up the campaign on Rafale deal before upcoming state elections but not looking at the issue as an election advantage, said former finance minister P Chidambaram.

The party is taking this issue to the people of India," said Chidambaram. "We have to step up the campaign."

On Dassault’s CEO interview to CNBC-TV18, Chidambaram said, “What else will he say when his company is under attack for the deal that they have entered into with the government.

French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation said the choice of going with Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence for a partnership to manufacture parts for its Rafale aircraft was its own.

When Dassault entered into that agreement, obviously Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had land and Bengaluru had an airport and nothing has changed, he said.

"Therefore, I do not think you should take these excuses seriously,” Chidambaram added.

First Published:Oct 25, 2018 8:31 PM IST