Ananth Kumar calls for debate on AgustaWestland issue

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar accused Congress of making "baseless allegations" against the Narendra Modi dispensation in the last two days of the session

New Delhi, Dec 15: Targeting Congress, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar today said there should be a debate in the House on AgustaWestland kickbacks case and the purported exchange of old currency notes in AICC headquarters shown in a sting operation.

"We are ready for debate on demonetisation in both Houses since day one. We were ready yesterday and we are ready today as well.

But since the first day Rahul Gandhi, Congress and other opposition parties have been running away from debate," Kumar said outside Parliament.

He accused Congress of making "baseless allegations" against the Narendra Modi dispensation in the last two days of the session and said the government was ready for discussion on any issue.

The minister also called for a debate on a news channel sting which purportedly showed some leaders from rival parties, including Congress, offering to change old currency notes for a commission,.

"We also want a discussion on the alleged currency management (note jugad) at the Congress headquarters. We also want a discussion on AgustaWestland kickbacks. The name of UPA government's first family was also mentioned by Christian Michel. There should be discussion on this in the House," he also said.

Michel was the alleged middleman in the chopper deal. He said Augusta kickbacks should also be discussed in the August House.

"They were not ready for debate on demonitisation or Agusta. Rahul Gandhi has not given any notice since the beginning of the session on any issue. That shows his seriousness." Kumar termed as false Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's allegation that he had proof against Modi.

"Rahul's friend (Arvind) Kejriwal has said that if Rahul had any proof he should bring it out. He did not have any evidence. His remarks are baseless. His strategy is different. If he wanted to say he could have said by now who has prevented from speaking. It is a false allegation," he said.

PTI