Stepping up its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress has given notices for breach of privilege against him in both Houses of Parliament over his remarks against Sonia Gandhi in the AgustaWestland issue even as the party members continued their protests.


The government, however, remained defiant, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today asserting in the Rajya Sabha that the "Prime Minister is entitled to speak on corruption" both inside and outside the House and he cannot be "gagged".


His statement came after Congress member Shantaram Naik said he has given notice for breach of privilege against Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the PM's remarks at an election rally on the AgustaWestland issue.


Naik contended that "lies" had been told outside the House about UPA leaders taking money in the chopper deal. Jaitley, who is Leader of the House, retorted, "Since when has an election speech by one politician against another outside the House started to be construed as breach of privilege?"


He said that political speech outside by one politician against another is for "publicity" like the Congress members have been doing in front of media the whole of yesterday. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he had called Naik to make a Zero Hour submission as per the notice he had given and not to raise any other issue like breach of privilege notice.


Congress leader Anand Sharma said the statements made by Modi in the House or outside are as Prime Minister of the country and there cannot be any distinction between them.


"The Prime Minister has contradicted his Defence Minister," he contended. After Jaitley's response, Kurien disallowed any further comments on the issue and proceeded with the listed business of the day.