The Hindu : National : I stand vindicated, says Fernandes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

National

National

I stand vindicated, says Fernandes

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 5. The Janata Dal (United) president and former Defence Minister, George Fernandes, today urged the United Progressive Alliance Government to make public the Phukan Commission report on Tehelka and the Central Vigilance Commission report on defence procurements.

Reacting to the affidavit filed by the Union Government in the Supreme Court today giving him a clean chit in defence deals while holding office as Defence Minister in the National Democratic Alliance, Mr. Fernandes said he stood vindicated. ``When I took over as Defence Minister, I had said that I would not tolerate any corruption or any agents. Today, it has been proved that I fulfilled my commitment.''

Addressing a press conference here, the NDA convener said he was thankful to the Centre for bringing out the truth, but observed that the CVC report was not made public by him because it could not be done under the law and the security concerns could not be taken lightly. ``I request the UPA Government to change the law if it wants more transparency and publish the CVC report as there are several references to this in the affidavit filed today.''

The affidavit was filed in response to a public interest litigation petition.

``Unending tirade''

Recalling how he was boycotted by the then Congress-led Opposition in Parliament and not allowed to speak as Minister for several months, Mr. Fernandes said the boycott and the campaign against him during elections by the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, was based on falsehood. ``I have not done any crime. I had been maintaining throughout that such allegations (in coffin deals, etc.) would compromise security concerns and lower the morale of the armed forces but the tirade against me was unending. I will now go to Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh and tell defence personnel how they were misled to win elections.''

"No move against Sonia"

To a question, he said there was no point moving for a defamation case against Ms. Gandhi as there was a time lag. ``I had sent notice for defamation some time ago but now I am told it is too late.''

On Bihar, he said that it was a ``difficult situation''. People had removed the RJD Government with the great hope of getting a non-Lalu popular government. ``If secularism and non-secularism had not been made an issue, a popular government would have been formed in Bihar.''

He, however, said there was still hope and the parties should talk to one another.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National