Speaker Sumitra Mahajan (PTI photo)

NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday formally moved a privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman over the statements they made on the Rafale deal during the debate on the no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha on July 20.

Admitting the two motions, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the notices were under her consideration. Congress alleged that the PM and the defence minister had "misled" the House on the deal.

Mahajan first allowed Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and then deputy leader Jyotiraditya Scindia to read out notices against the PM and the defence minister. Mahajan said both notices had the backing of five members each. She said, "Since there are two motions, I have only allowed one person to make a one-line statement, each. It is under my consideration."

Earlier, BJP MP Nishikant Dube submitted a privilege motion against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi , alleging that he has misled the House by accusing the PM and Sitharaman of speaking untruths. BJP said Rahul's claim that there is no secrecy clause relating to the Rafale deal was completely incorrect.

The notice against the PM and Sitharaman said, "The PM has, along with the defence minister, deliberately misled the House. It is, therefore, requested that this notice of breach of privilege be accepted and referred to the privilege committee for further proceedings."

Amid protests, members of the treasury benches also demanded their right to read out their own counter, which they submitted to the Speaker's office on Tuesday.

Congress has said the secrecy clause does not pertain to price while the government has responded by pointing out that while the basic price has been revealed, the cost of armament suits, weaponry and maintenance costs cannot be revealed as it has security aspects. The commercial aspects of the deal are also protected as the supplier, Dassault, needs to take into account negotiations with other customers and competitors.

