Ready to discuss deal in Parliament, says PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday that he and his government would not shy away from a discussion on the controversial VVIP helicopter deal in the coming Budget Session of Parliament.

"We can always sit down. There is scope for discussion. Parliament is a forum for discussion. We are ready to discuss all issues," the Prime Minister said when asked about the Opposition's threat to stall Parliament on the chopper controversy.

The PM was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Rashtrapati Bhavan to give the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development to noted social worker Ela Ramesh Bhatt.

The Budget Session of Parliament begins on Thursday.

The BJP has accused the UPA government of a "cover-up" in the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland at a cost of Rs 3546 crore.

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