TMC MP raises chopper issue in RS, asked to withdraw from House

New Delhi, May 2

A Parliamentarian of the Trinamool Congress raised the AgustaWestland helicopter scam in Rajya Sabha on Monday and was asked to leave the House when he persisted even after his notice was rejected.

Trinamool member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy raised the corruption scandal during Zero Hour and demanded to know the names of the bribe takers in the Rs 3600 crore deal to buy 12 VVIP helicopters.

"Defence Minister has to give a statement. Why is the government silent," he asked. "Who is this AP (named as alleged bribe taker in the deal)? Who is Gandhi? Who is Shashikant?"

He wanted the Defence Minister to make a statement on the issue after suspending regular business.

"Government has to disclose the identity (of bribe takers)," he said.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said there was no rule for suspension of business during Zero Hour and disallowed his notice.

Roy once again raised the issue during Question Hour, demanding a statement.

Chairman Hamid Ansari warned him against speaking "unauthorised", but when Roy persisted, Ansari told him to withdraw from the House for the day.

"I invoke Rule 255. Will you please leave the Chamber," Ansari said.

Rule 255 of Rajya Sabha on withdrawal of member says: "The Chairman may direct any member whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the Council and any member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall absent himself during the remainder of the day's meeting".

Roy left the House raising slogans: "Yeh ghooskhor Gandhi kaun hai? (Who is this Gandhi involved in bribery?"

Soon, his fellow TMC colleagues rose, with Vivek Gupta announcing then were walking out in protest. — PTI