Congress leader gives breach of privilege notice in RS against Subramanian Swamy

Congress MP Shantaram Naik today gave a notice for breach of privilege against BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in Rajya Sabha for allegedly submitting a "printout" of a website report to level allegations against its leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, in the AgustaWestland issue.

In his notice addressed to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, the Congress leader said: "Since Swamy has authenticated a website page printout, in which the names of Sonia Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, Oscar Fernandes have been mentioned, it means and implies that the very allegations are made by Swamy also."

Naik gave the notice under rules 187 and 188 of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States and appealed to the Rajya Sabha Chairman that it be admitted and referred to the Privileges Committee for "appropriate" action against Swamy.

"Swamy did not authenticate any letter from Christian Michel (alleged British middleman and prime accused in the AgustaWestland chopper bribery case) as he was not in possession of any such letter. Further question of Sonia flying in Mi-8 choppers does not arise as she did not hold any official post.

"Swamy mischievously quoted abbreviations AP and said he is a political secretary...All these innuendos amply insinuate a particular specific person most irresponsibly and without authenticating any document.

"Swamy did not produce any certified copy of the judgement on which he relied extensively, which he should have done and authenticated," Naik said in the notice.

AP, it was alleged, stood for Ahmed Patel, Political Secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Referrring to an interview of Italian Judge Marco Maria Maiga by a news channel on the issue, the Congress leader said "Swamy relied on the transcript of this interview".

"Swamy mischievously relied on and authenticated an inadmissible document, by all standards, to misguide the House, thereby committing another breach of privilege," he said.

Making clear the party's intent to move a privilege motion against Swamy, Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh had a few days back said: "Swamy has made baseless allegations and spoken big lies in Rajya Sabha on May 4. We will not allow him to go scot-free."