New Delhi: The Indian government proposed Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as Dassault Aviation's partner in multi-billion-dollar Rafale jet deal and France did not have a choice, former French president Francois Hollande was quoted as purportedly saying by a French publication, a sensational twist that gave fresh ammunition to the Opposition against the Modi dispensation.

Reacting to Hollande's reported remark that is at variance with the Indian position, a Defence ministry spokesman said, "The report referring to former French president Hollande's statement on Rafale is being verified."