BJP to counter Uttarakhand in Parliament with Agusta

To counter the Congress party's demand for a discussion on President's Rule in Uttarakhand in Parliament, the ruling BJP has decided to bring up the issue of the Agusta Westland VVIP chopper case, which an Italian court had on Monday commented upon to the detriment of the then UPA government.

Senior BJP MP Bhupender Yadav said that he has moved a calling-attention motion and a motion seeking a short discussion on the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. On Monday in the Lok Sabha, BJP member Meenakshi Lekhi raised the issue during zero hour. She said: "Italian court in its order commented adversely on the then UPA government and defence ministry... It is a serious matter and I urge the defence minister to order an inquiry. The House must have a discussion on the matter."

Parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu said that he would inform the defence minister about the sentiments of the MPs and leave him to decide on the inquiry.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who will take his oath as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, will also seek to raise the matter, according to The Economic Times.

In response, Jairam Ramesh, spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee, said: "The Congress wants to make it clear that the party and the UPA government have nothing to hide on the Agusta issue. The then defence minister himself had clarified the matter."