Team Herald
PANJIM: Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik, on Monday, gave a breach of privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making a statement with respect to the AugustaWestland scam, in South India when the parliament session was on.
In a notice given under Rule 187 and 188 of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, Naik has said that Modi had made a wild charge against UPA leaders, accusing them of taking money in the helicopter deal.
He further stated that, according to Modi, it is not his government that had named UPA leaders, but it was a court in Italy that had done so.
“Modi has been quoted as saying, ‘Madam Soniaji, aap ki yeh himmat?’ You are spreading lies…about the helicopter deal,” said Naik.
He said that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, when he read out a long statement in the Rajya Sabha on May 5, did not say that the UPA leaders had taken money in the helicopter nor did he say that a court in Italy had 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 the helicopter deal, why is it that the Defence Minister 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?” said Naik.
He added, “The 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.”
Naik said that Modi had behaved “most irresponsibly” and misused his position to make defamatory statements on the helicopter deal, insulting the institution of Parliament.
He has prayed that his notice be admitted and referred to the Privilege Committee and, appropriate action be taken against the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister.
