TMC Gives Notice for Discussion on Agustawestland in Rajya Sabha

Political slugfest is likely to continue in Parliament yet again on Monday over the AgustaWestland scam. The Trinamool Congress has given a notice for suspension of all business on Monday and has demanded the issue to be taken up for discussion on an immediate basis.

The demand comes even as the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Sunday that he will place all facts along with the detailed chronology about the controversial chopper deal before Parliament on May 4.

"I will place the detailed chronology, giving facts about the chopper deal before Parliament on Wednesday. I will place the detailed chronology, giving how and when necessary clauses or provisions were relaxed to suit the company," Parrikar said.

"Those who received kickbacks will not leave behind the proof for us to prosecute them, but we will have to prove it (that kickbacks were received). It is for us to prove everything now. Since the issue would be placed in Parliament, I would not like to speak in detail to media," the Defence Minister further said.

"Why no action was taken against the company till 2014? Why was the company not blacklisted by then UPA government? I challenge the Congress to show the UPA government's order blacklisting the AgustaWestland company. Let them reply first why it was not banned. It was during our (NDA) government that we banned it," he said.

The Congress, however, said Parrikar should first answer why the Modi government "undid" the blacklisting of AgustaWestland company.

Chief Spokesperson of the Congress Randeep Surjewala said Parrikar should also answer why within 40 days of banning the company, he passed an order re-permitting the company to participate through a sub-contractor.

"Does Modiji and Parrikarji not realise they are in power? Is CBI not with Central government? Is Enforcement Directorate not with Central government? Why has the Modi government undone the blacklisting of AugustaWestland? Why Manohar Parrikarkji is not answering," he said.

Surjewala said levelling allegations against Congress leadership is reprehensible and condemnable, and mudslinging and muck-raising has become BJP's character.