Cong serves breach of privilege notice against Parrikar

Congress members in the Rajya Sabha have submitted a notice of a breach of privilege motion against Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

The notice was served to Parrikar for issuing a clarification on the AgustaWestland issue through the Press Information Bureau when the Parliament was in session.

In the notice submitted to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat on Friday, Shantaram Naik and Hussain Dalwai have contended that Parrikar should have clarified on the AgustaWestland controversy in the Rajya Sabha, which is in session, and not outside.

Naik said the Defence Ministry’s action amounted to breach of privilege of the members of the Rajya Sabha.

Shah hits out at Sonia

BJP president Amit Shah on Friday renewed his attack on Congress president Sonia Gandhi over the AgustaWestland chopper deal, asking on whose behest the contract was tweaked.

“The tender had the condition that only original equipment manufacturers could file the tender. Still, AgustaWestland was allowed to file the tender, despite it not being an original equipment manufacturer. Now, my question to Sonia Gandhi is, on whose behest this tampering with the original conditions was done,” he said.