Chopper scam: Cong steps up attack on Modi in RS and LS

New Delhi: Stepping up attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress gave notices for breach of privilege against him in both Houses of Parliament over his remarks against party president Sonia Gandhi in the AgustaWestland issue, even as the party members continued their protests.

The government, however, remained defiant, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday asserting in the Rajya Sabha that the ‘Prime Minister is entitled to speak on corruption' both inside and outside the House and he cannot be ‘gagged'.

His statement came after Congress member Shantaram Naik said he has given notice for breach of privilege against Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the PM's remarks at an election rally on the AgustaWestland issue. Naik contended that ‘lies' had been told outside the House about UPA leaders taking money in the chopper deal.

Jaitley, who is the Leader of the House, retorted, "Since when has an election speech by one politician against another outside the House started to be construed as breach of privilege?"

He further said that political speech outside by one politician against another is for ‘publicity' like the Congress members have been doing yesterday.