Ruckus in Chhattisgarh Assembly over Agusta chopper deal

Raipur, July 19: Noisy scenes were witnessed in the Chhattisgarh Assembly today as Congress accused the ruling BJP government of irregularities in the purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter in 2007 and demanded a discussion.

As many as 33 Congress MLAs were suspended after they trooped into the well. The suspension was revoked later.

Senior Congress legislator Satyanarayan Sharma raised the issue on the last day of Monsoon session today by moving an adjournment motion notice demanding a discussion.

He alleged that the state aviation department violated the rules while buying the helicopter for Rs 26.58 crore. Citing news reports, Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo said Directorate General of Civil Aviation had imposed ban on long distance flights of Agusta choppers.

Serious technical snag developed in the same chopper during a recent tour of agriculture minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Singhdeo said. State Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel alleged kickbacks were given which were deposited in a foreign bank.

Shivratan Sharma, who was in the Speaker's chair, rejected the demand for discussion. Congress legislators then started shouting slogans. BJP MLAs responded with slogans too, causing a ruckus. When MLAs could not be pacified, Speaker adjourned the House for five minutes.

PTI