New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday directly accused Narendra Modi of corruption in the Rafale deal, declaring the Prime Minister guilty at a public meeting in Jaipur.

"Modi, not the defence minister, changed the deal and purchased the fighter aircraft for Rs 1,600 crore that was finalised by the UPA government for Rs 540 crore," Rahul said.

"The offset contract was given to Anil Ambani who doesn't have any experience in making aircraft and has a debt of Rs 45,000 crore. His only qualification is that he is Modi's friend."

The Congress president had earlier criticised Modi as an instrument of corruption, accusing him of facilitating the escape of fugitives like bank fraud suspect Nirav Modi, but this was the first time he was directly alleging the Prime Minister was guilty of corruption.

" Maine Parliament mein poochha, mujhse ankh nahin mila pa rahe thay (I asked in Parliament; he couldn't look me in the eye)," Rahul said.

" Chhappan inch ke chhati wale PM ki ankh kabhi idhar, kabhi udhar, kabhi upar, kabhi neeche. Kyonki apke Pradhan Mantri nein Rafale mein bhrastachar kiya hai, chori ki hai. Aur ye poore Hindustan ko pata chal jayega (The eyes of the 56-inch-chest Prime Minister darted this way and that, up and down... because your Prime Minister committed corruption in the Rafale deal, committed theft. And this will become known to the entire country)."

The Congress evidently plans to target Modi's personal image, which has largely remained unscathed despite alleged scams and his inaction on many corruption cases.

The BJP hit back, accusing Rahul of "lying". Party spokesperson Anil Baluni was quoted by PTI as saying: "Rahul Gandhi is desperate to get power at any cost. His philosophy of politics is about lying on every issue. The allegations he has been raking up repeatedly have often been answered with solid proof...."