Congress MP gives privilege notice against Modi for comments against Sonia

Congress MP Shantaram Naik on Monday gave notice of breach of privilege against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikkar to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari on a day Congress created a ruckus in Parliament against Modi's comments in an election rally against Sonia Gandhi on the VVIP chopper deal.

Giving a notice under Rule 187 and 188 of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, Naik said that the Prime Minister has made a "wild charge" against UPA leaders alleging that they had taken money in the purchase of helicopters.

Addressing an election rally in Thiruvananthapuram, Modi had said,"Madam Soniaji, "Aap ki Ye himmat. You and Congress leaders are making statements that false allegations are being made against you. Did Modi or Modi government in the last two years even once take the name of Congress in the helicopter deal?

"We have never used any name even once. Investigation agencies were doing their jobs. Nobody in Hindustan gave the name. The name has come from Italy."

Latching on to it, Naik said according Modi it is not his Government that has named United Progressive Alliance leaders but it is a court in Italy which has done so.

The Congress leader said even though Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar read out a long statement in the Rajya Sabha on May 5, he did not say that the UPA leaders had taken money in purchase of helicopter nor did he say court in Italy has done so.

"It is, therefore, clear that the prime minister has contradicted the defence minister. If the defence minister had any proof that UPA leaders had taken money in helicopter deal, why is it that he did not make any statement to that effect in the House.

"Was he trying and to misguide the House by reading out a long prepared statement making wild charges to be used by the PM during his election rally? Naik asked.

"Defence minister has, therefore, committed a breach of privilege of the House and of the members since his statement differs from that of the prime minister. The prime minister has behaved most irresponsibly and misused his position to issue defamatory statement on helicopter deal insulting the institution of Parliament," he said.

Naik requested the Rajya Sabha chairman that his notice be admitted and it should be referred to the Privilege Committee for appropriate action against the prime minister and the defence minister.

Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad (Cong) said no member in the Lower House or the Upper House, during the debate on AgustaWestland deal, said the United Progressive Alliance leadership had taken money.

Maintaining that Congress had demanded stringent action against any leader or officer found guilty in the case, he said Modi had during poll rallies in Kerala and Tamil Nadu claimed that it was not his statement but an Italian court has said that Sonia was guilty in the case.

He asked why Modi did not intervene in the debates on the issue in either of the House to say this. Azad noted that Parrikar had not named any UPA leader in his reply and the charge was being used to tarnish the image of the Congress and its leadership.

The CBI, which is conducting an inquiry in the case, falls directly under the prime minister, he said and asked will the investigating agency not be influenced by such statements.

Hitting back at the Congress, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the prime minister's  remarks had created a stir among middlemen and corrupt people who do not want that their corruption and dishonesty should be found out.

"What crime has the PM committed?...Why should he tender an apology? Should he tender apology for bringing to an end the scams, for taking the poor on the path of development," Naqvi questioned.