PM Narendra Modi makes his first comment on the AgustaWestland scam in his poll speech in Tamil Nadu. Without taking names, the PM said, "Should not those involved in helicopter "chori" be punished? However big a person is, should action be taken against them or not."

The Agusta issue came up in the Lok Sabha today with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar outlining for Parliament why the government believes the Congress designed a corrupt deal to buy Agusta Westland helicopters, and then ducked taking any real action when it was in power.

In protests, the Congress walked out of the Lok Sabha during a lengthy debate, demanding an investigation on the Agusta deal that will be monitored by the Supreme Court. Before that, the defense of the Congress was presented by Jyotiraditya Scindia, who said of party chief Sonia Gandhi, "She is a sherni (lioness)...they are scared of her".