HYDERABAD: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday refused to be drawn into a debate on the extradition of AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel and said prime minister Narendra Modi should first explain why he gave Rs 30,000 crore to an industrialist for the Rafale fighter aircraft deal.

“Modi should first explain to the people about Rafale scam as part of which Anil Ambani was given Rs 30,000 crore,” Rahul said while replying to a query just before leaving his hotel here where he was addressing a media conference.

On the need for firming up a non-BJP coalition at the national level, Rahul Gandhi said, “people who love this country are standing together to protect India which is under attack from PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah who are spreading communal hatred and trying to divide the nation on religious lines.”

“When Chandrababu Naidu met me, he had said like minded parties should come together to protect the country from Modi who is attacking every institution. He has even fired the director of CBI overnight as he was investigating into the scam of Rafale fighter aircraft deal,” Rahul added.